May 11: West Coast Jazz

This jazz concert is a special treat with Raglan’s own West Coast Jazz Band joined by special guests, saxophonist Brian Smith and jazz vocalist Celeste Cleason.

Door sales $15.00. Saturday May 11. Doors open 7pm. Gig starts at 7.30pm at Raglan Old School Arts Centre, 5 Stewart St, Raglan. Licensed bar.

West Coast Jazz Band are a five piece jazz combo based around the Raglan area. The band specializes in playing straight-ahead jazz tunes and standards, from the “cool” styles of the late 50’s, through to the present day.

Their main influences include; Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk and the like. Formed during 2012, with the nucleus of: Greg Taylor – piano, Jack Porima – bass, and Bill Forrest on saxophone, the band has steadily progressed to include drummer Freddy Limbert, and trumpet player Grant Mason. Each member has played in previous outfits, which subsequently led to a commonality between the players – the love of jazz.

This, along with accumulative musical skill, dedication, and a desire to push their musical boundaries, ultimately led to the forming of the band.