Grace Gillanders performs Valerie.
As gigs go, it was one of the more satisfied audiences the Cambridge High School jazz band will ever play for.
The Cambridge branch of the National Party – and Taupō MP Louise Upston – recently celebrated 100 days in office and their annual meeting.
Cambridge High School’s jazz band, from left: Leon Davidson – Keyboard Year 10, teacher Lisa Norman, Cameron Diprose – Guitar – Year 12, Grace Gillanders – Bass – Year 13, Grace Vivian – voice – Year 12, Reuben Stevens – drums – Year 12, Kinston Harrop – Tenor Saxophone – Year 13, Cameron Thornton – Alto Saxophone – Year 12, Leah Nixon – Clarinet – Year 12. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
They invited the jazz band along to their function at Good Union and members donated $520 for their fundraising efforts, most coming after vocalist Grace Gillanders belted out a stunning rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Valerie.
The band, which hopes to travel to Sydney next year to take part in the Australian International Music Festival, rehearses once a week under the tuition of music teacher Lisa Norman.
This will include judged performances and workshops at Sydney Conservatorium, an hour long performance at Darling Harbour and a performance in the Sydney Opera House.
But a more immediate goal is the New Zealand Youth Jazz Festival in Tauranga next week.
Later this year they will also participate in the Waikato Music Festival at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts in Hamilton.
The jazz bands are for students with at least two years of experience on their instrument who would like to explore a range of jazz styles including funk, Latin and swing.
Instruments include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, keyboard, drums and vocalist.
Louise Upston and partner Hamish watch the Cambridge HS Jazz Band. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Belting out the Amy Winehouse classic Valerie was Grace Gillanders while behind her is Grace Vivian on bass and Reuben Stevens on the drums. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
