Dunedin Youth Jazz Festival

By OGHS | Posted: Wednesday August 9, 2023

All Blues, the combined Otago Girls' and Boys' High Schools jazz band, performed at the Dunedin Youth Jazz Festival Band Competitions at Hanover Hall on Friday, 4 August.

The band was awarded a silver award for their fine performance of three classic jazz compositions: "Moten Swing" by Benny Moten, "Milestones" by Miles Davis and "Birdland" by Joe Zawinul. Individual instrument awards were also gained by Finn Marshall and Jehaan Gydien, who delivered the "Most Promising" performances on Alto Saxophone and Flute respectively.

Musical Director of All Blues and Chairman of the Dunedin Jazz Foundation Dr Will Martin said he was particularly impressed by the overall ensemble playing of the band and their ability to play in the different genres - "swing", "modal" and "jazz-rock" fusion. The solid foundation of Rata Williams on the bass and Jenny de la Harpe on the electric bass allowed the group to explore these different genres with ease. Strong solos were performed throughout the set by Finn Marshall (alto), Jehaan Gydien (flute), Jayden Lu (tenor), Oban Voice (trumpet), Nikita Lu (trombone), Theresa Radka (trombone) and James More (guitar). 

These players particularly shone, but the entire band are to be congratulated for a fine performance: Jasmine Potter, Phoenix Haddow, Henry Hodgson, Katherine McArthur, Harper Dean, Odin Callander, Connor Purvis, Emily Lokman, Louis Stevenson, Anson Fung, Caleb Wayne and Sarah Pushenko.