Whanganui Musicians Club

12/09/2024

NEXT FRIDAY, LOVESHACK are back, 20 th,

06/09/2024

Tonight @ Club Night, Nana & Petal .. C'mon down!

25/07/2024

Tane Butler Back in Town with BAD SCHEMATICS Band
Club Night Friday 2 August

The Musicians Club has the longest running Open Mic in Whanganui, and last month’s session has taken it to the proverbial ‘next level’. We cannot pinpoint how this happened, but anyone who was fortunate enough to participate – either as a performer or as a dancer or listener – in the July iteration witnessed an extraordinary evening of entertaining music and artistic camaraderie.
For one thing, there were no fewer than ten acts on the stage, and the quality of performance was outstanding, as was the diversity. There were solo artists like Owen Hugh, Sophie Toyne and Jamie Henare, duos like Izzy and Alex and full on bands like Out of Work Genius, Magic Bus, Bylaws, Foodslut, Bad Juju and BB & the Bullets. For another, the hall was packed with dancers and listeners. This produced an atmosphere of sheer celebration that was felt throughout the evening. And the club brought its ever evolving professionalism to the party, with enhanced lighting, sound engineering, audio recording and photography.
It is no wonder that we eagerly await the next session this Friday, 2 August.
Coming home from his current residence in Wellington and adding spice to the proceedings will be Tane Butler, playing with pop punk/rock group BAD SCHEMATICS out of Palmerston North. The band is Caleb Hickmott (vocals), Daniel Braithwaite (drums), Caitlin Sorenson (bass) and Tane (guitar). They play original music, with gigs this winter all over the North Island from Auckland and Tauranga to Napier and Wellington. They will be tearing it up on our famous stage. Tane is looking forward to performing in his home town, and we look forward to hearing his band.
Come along to our August Club night. What a great way to drive away those midwinter blues! You are sure to meet up with an old friend or maybe make a new friend!

14/07/2024

IJD Jam Session @ Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Ave
Sunday, 21 July from 4-6pm, Free Entry

The jam session is a unique musical adventure that asks musicians to meet up and improvise together. The aim is always to play spontaneously and produce some good sounds in the moment.
Jam sessions can take many forms. A session in Chicago, USA will not be the same as one in Lusaka, Zambia. Here we use the format of a house rhythm section that sets the framework upon which local musicians come along and add their individual voices. One of the regular participants in the band is Michael Franklin-Browne, a fine drummer and drum teacher who has forged a fine career of making music here in Whanganui and throughout the country.
The next session is on Sunday 21 July and Michael will be onstage with whom we don’t know at date of writing. That is the fun part … you never know who will be on the stage. The music is unpredictable. Hats off to Tony Sundeman of Porridge Watson for making these musical moments possible. Come down and join the party.

12/07/2024

Jazz from Wellington tonight doors at 7pm. Come on down

08/07/2024

After the most fab June Club Night ... the stage bursting with Whanganui talent ... the hall filled to the brim with Musician Club members and guests ... WOW
Looking forward to Friday 12 June ... with a Warm Whanganui Welcome ... come and support the music.

Musicians Club to Present New Music from Auckland

His name is Max Crook, a young drummer and composer from Auckland, currently on tour with his quintet, playing jazz (ish) music (his words, not mine), mostly original stuff he has written.
Born and raised in West Auckland, he has established himself as a young artist emerging on the scene as both drummer and composer. Having been a regular sideman and student of the pianist Jonathan Crayford since age eighteen, twenty-one year old Max has had the chance to perform alongside some of the country's best improvisers. Having completed a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Auckland, he has the attention of master saxophonist and educator Roger Manins who says "Max Crook is an outstanding drummer, bandleader and composer. His music is rich in warmth, humour and integrity and is a joy to experience."
Joining Max onstage are Lukas Fritsch - Alto Saxophone & Bass Clarinet, Robin Baek – Guitar, Connor McAneny – Piano and Tyler Diprose - Double Bass – five rising stars in the country’s capital. The Quintet play in Whangarei, Napier and Wellington prior to their date in Whanganui. They complete the tour with gigs in Rotorua and then back in Auckland. The project is entitled the House of Green Branches and features folk-inspired compositions and arrangements Max describes as “dynamic improvised music that reflects a distinct sense of place”.
He talks about being happy, inspired and engaged. “I'm trying to challenge myself as much as possible” says Max, and this tour is a further step toward realising his ambitions. It will be an entertaining evening of new music interpreted by talented young musicians.

07/07/2024

Sunday Celebration of the life of Jazz Music Legend Rodger Fox R.I.P @ St Johns Club, 158 Glasgow Street. 6:30 pm.
Pictured below with Rodger from 'back in the day' and performing tonight are Peter Blake, Geoff Culverwell and Murray Loveridge. No prize for knowing who's who 🎶

18/06/2024

04/06/2024

This Friday folks the fabulous GJ

04/06/2024

Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer, storyteller … the attributes of folk sensation Graeme James go on and on. His personal story is one of perseverance, serendipity and bravery – performing as a one man band all around the world.
As a child, music was his first love and he had his sights fixed on being a concert violinist. In high school, he became fascinated with various folk and Celtic traditions, and began to perform locally with friends and family. It wasn’t long until he taught himself the guitar and began writing his own songs. A shoulder injury ended up killing his classical music ambitions and fearing that the dangerous freedoms of a musician’s lifestyle would overtake him, he chose to study teaching in college. Fate intervened in 2011 after Graeme impulsively bought a loop pedal, in what ended up being an inspired purchase. At home with his new gadget, he experienced a crystalizing moment when he realized the various instruments he picked up throughout the years, and all the music he explored could coexist in real time. His narrative took a juicier turn when, in a desperate bid to fund some car repairs, he took to busking. His one-man band, and his imaginative renditions of cover songs, made him a hit on the streets of Wellington. With a running car, and a reawakened passion for music, Graeme began to migrate to different regions of New Zealand to perform, building a strong and devoted following along the way. In 2018 he relocated to Europe where he continued to develop his craft. Now, four albums and forty million streams later, the New Zealand artist is firmly entrenched in this life path.
We welcome him with open arms to the Whanganui Musicians Club at our June meeting, as he kicks off his 13 stop Luminous Times Tour throughout Aotearoa. Joining him on stage is the compelling drummer Ben Dixon, a remarkable personality in his own right. And opening the show will be the Musicians Club monthly open mic session. This will be a fantastic night of musical entertainment. Don’t miss it!

Friday 7 June, 7pm @ Whanganui Musicians Club, Drews Ave
General Admission $15, Members $10, memberships available at the door

22/05/2024

We’re pleased to announce the performance night of this year’s Songwriting Competition! Rehearsals are going great and we have some fantastic songs and artists to share with you. MC for the evening will be the fabulous comedian Kajun Brooking and the judges will be headed up by the wonderful Anthonie Tonnon. The night will be recorded live for a future CD release. Hope you can come along on Friday 31st May for a fun night celebrating Whanganui’s songwriters!

16/05/2024

Entries for the 2024 Songwriting Competition are closed, and rehearsals start Saturday. We're looking forward to a fantastic night on May 31st, featuring the best of Whanganui's songwriting talent. Join us and experience the exceptional music created by these brave and talented individuals.

10/05/2024

Loving this!!

Find the latest news and information from the New Zealand music industry and musicians including band tours, concerts and new releases.

03/05/2024

Songwriting Competition!!!!

Announcing the WMC's Songwriting Competition 2024. Contestants get to rehearse with the fantastic Club band two weekends before the performance night - (please make a rough recording of your song on your phone and bring along lyrics and chords for the band) - then play their song live with the band on Friday May 31st. We have celebratory judges, an enthusiastic audience and the night will be recorded for a CD release. Winner gets studio time at Nixon Street Recordings with producer Brian Baker to work on their song for inclusion on the CD. Bring us your best songs Whanganui and let's celebrate this place in music!

03/05/2024

Announcing the WMC's Songwriting Competition 2024. Contestants get to rehearse with the fantastic Club band two weekends before the performance night - (please make a rough recording of your song on your phone and bring along lyrics and chords for the band) - then play their song live with the band on Friday May 31st. We have celebratory judges, an enthusiastic audience and the night will be recorded for a CD release. Winner gets studio time at Nixon Street Recordings with producer Brian Baker to work on their song for inclusion on the CD. Bring us your best songs Whanganui and let's celebrate this place in music!

02/05/2024

Club Night is tomorrow - Friday 3rd May from 7pm. National Sensation are the headliner and there'll be lots of fantastic acts at the Open Mic, as usual! - Maybe you're one of them. Come along, play, sing, enjoy a great night out!!

30/04/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq02MxEfhxE&ab_channel=InternationalJazzDay

Watch the International 2024 All-Star Global Concert from the beautiful, new Palace of Arts and Culture of Tangier! Music enthusiasts can look forwa...

22/04/2024

Whanganui will be doin' it again .... Come out and support the kaupapa

26/03/2024

American Guitarist Russ Spiegel en Route to Tauranga from Wellington will be at the Whanganui Musicians Club on Friday 29 March 7pm. Tickets at the door $20. Club members pay $15.

20/03/2024

Tomorrow afternoon and evening Giant Record fair is on plus Osi Ozza later. Churr

01/03/2024

A community project to grow the Whanganui jazz community and connect it to the national and international communities.

23/02/2024

Club Night 1 March...Come and get it!

Taranaki’s leading band theSlacks perfoirm

13/02/2024

IJD Jam Sessions @ Porridge Watson - 2024
Jazz is about music, community, improvisation, co-operation, education, communication, negotiation and the journey toward self-realisation. It is also about enjoying life to the full.
Come on down and join in the fun - listeners and players.
The third Sunday of the month ... next 18 February 6:00pm
No charge...just jam! (Photo: Wade Monteba)