Abacus Band

01/09/2023

A fine list of former Abacus Band and Whanganui Jazz Orchestra members throughout the years are assembling this Sunday, 3 September, to offer up a musical tribute concert to Abacus founder and founding member of both the Whanganui Jazz Club as well as the Whanganui Jazz Orchestra, Angela Crawford, who passed away recently. She was piano keys old.

Our hot line-up includes Fred Loveridge on guitar, Hadleight Shaw on sax and vocals, Denise McNeill, Roger Brassell and Molly Burke on vocals, Mike Collins and Murray Loveridge on bass, Mike Franklin-Browne and Chester Neville on drums, and David Griffith with vocals and guitar, along with the talented Christopher Dann on keyboard. It promises to be a night of heartfelt musical tributes to Whanganui's First Lady of Jazz.

The Angela Crawford's Friends Tribute concert will be held at the Whanganui Jazz Club, located in the St. John's Club, 158 Glasgow Street, Whanganui. Doors open at 5:30, concert begins at 6:30. Bar and restaurant onsite. Come join us to bid a fond farewell to our friend, mentor, teacher, bandleader and most excellent jazz pianist.

16/08/2023

Angela Crawford's most excellent musical celebration of life will be held at 3:00 this Friday 18 August at Cleveland Funeral Home, located at 179 Ingestre Street, Whanganui. Soloists including Denise McNeill plus members of Abacus Band will be playing during the service, and the Whanganui Jazz Orchestra will be playing after the service.

12/08/2023

Abacus Band is playing one last time this afternoon at the Manawatū Jazz Club, 820 Tremaine Avenue, Roslyn, Palmerston North, at 5:00 today. Angela would not want us to cancel the gig, so please join us if you can, to honour her.

12/08/2023

It is with the most profound sadness that we regret to announce that our beloved band leader and most excellent keyboard player Angela Crawford has died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. She was the very best of us. Her musical legacy lives in the hearts and lives of all the musicians and audiences she touched, nurtured and entertained over her long career. Her accomplishments are too numerous to mention in this brief announcement. We will post about her musical memorial celebrations as information becomes available.

04/06/2023

A new keyboard for Angela? Nah, but it sure would save space in the van. ;)

24/01/2023

"Hit the Road, Jack" made a great finale at the Caboodle last weekend. Lots more great music coming up from Abacus Band, so stay tuned!

22/01/2023

Love Potion No.9. Performed by Abacus at the Whanganui Caboodle.

19/01/2023

Abacus will be performing at 3pm on the Ridgway street Stage for the Whanganui Caboodle. And now we are featuring the powerhouse vocals and stage presence of the marvellous Molly Burke. The genres of Blues, Bee-bop, Latin Jazz, Rock ‘n Roll and Rhythm ‘n Blues will all be covered in what promises to be a surprising, exciting and entertaining set. See you there!

29/10/2022

Today's the Day people. And what better way to end the week and brace yourself for another than with some live toe tapping music, good company, a tasty bite to eat and a glass of your favourite?

25/10/2022

Performing this Sunday at Coopers. From 2-4pm. Abacus and the Wonderful Erna Ferry!
There will be be-bop. There will be Blues. Saxophone, Harmonica. Beer, Wine and Food.

19/10/2022

03/08/2022

Highlights from our performance at Coopers.
If you were there. Thankyou for coming.
If you weren't there.
We missed you. It's not the same without you...
But we soldiered on.
We hope you can make it next time.
Alright ...?
Alright!

28/07/2022

Augmented Reality. Allows for the creation of animated avatars. Thus we have AR Abacus. Stay tuned for more exciting developments. Join us this Sunday. At Coopers Cafe and Bar. 1pm.

25/07/2022

They”re back! That Jazz powerhouse ,The“ABACUS Combo is back this Sunday, 31st, at Coopers Bar and Café, with some more up tempo Swing, Latin and Blues, some great vocalizing by our Tenor Sax player, Hadleigh Shaw, plus his great Sax solos, aided and abetted by the solid Bass of Mike Collins, the Jazz keyboard skills of Angela Crawford, and the engine room, keeping it solid . of Chester Nevil, on drums. The material , as always, will be familiar to many, with a few surprises in the song list.
This group of musicians have been playing Jazz for many years, and know exactly what audiences like. Come on down this Sunday to Coopers, enjoy not just the music but the great Café food and beverages, plus a great atmosphere. Forget the winter blues, enjoy this Sunday listening to some great Jazz!! Band plays from 1pm to 4pm, on the inside stage.

12/07/2022

20/06/2022

"Do you require live music and a uniquely pleasant atmosphere for an event or celebration.
With Saxophone. A Songstress. With smooth and mellow, handsome fellows. Piano driven favorites. To dance, to Dine, to de-stress.
Jazz and Blues at it's very best"?
Well that's Abacus.

Thankyou for being here.
Please contact us for bookings and share your thoughts and feedback.

20/06/2022

20/06/2022

From front to back. Angela, Denise, Hadleigh, Chester and Mike.