Music Plus with Winston Watusi watusi@thesun.co.nz

It's not often I blow it two weeks in a row; blame it on too much sun...

Last week I aimed to write about the jazz festival, got distracted by this weekend's BOP Open Studios Art Trail, and ran out of space.

And I realise that the same thing is about to happen. It's week two of jazz fest coverage. Sort of. Specifically the “outdoor” music, of which there is, I think, more than ever before. But perhaps skip to the end for that as there are other urgent things to share...

Most urgent are matters of life and death. This Sunday (February 25) at the Citz Club on Cameron Rd there's a concert raising money to help a local musician, money for the life-changing drugs that Shirley Ryder needs after a long battle with cancer.

Grant Haua.

There is already a Give-a-Little page and, on Sunday, for $30 you will be able to enjoy the sounds of bluesman Grant Haua, Kokomo, eighties outfit Max Headroom, Chris Gunn and Gunshy, and from Auckland the legendary Shane. Kick-off is 3pm.

Kokomo.

In a similar vein, another local musician needs our help. Chris Robinson, long-time video-maker and guitarist on the indie scene with the likes of Diehards of Deep Dish, Flaming Tea Bags, Hard Throb and more, is struggling with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Chris needs to relocate to the UK where he can obtain potentially life-saving treatment. Find out more here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-chris-robinson-get-to-the-uk-to-find?.

And whilst I pressed pause on music last week in favour of art a whole lot of new sounds flooded out from local musicians. I promise I will return to the three – yes, three! - new albums just now dropping.

There's also a new video: John Michaelz and the Black Brothers have released one for their take on the Ritchie Pickett song 'More Fey Ray' – appropriately launched on Ritchie's birthday – featuring a whole bunch of well-known musos singing backing.

The Knids.

On to those albums: The Knids are back in action with 'Monochrome'; young up-and-coming Mounties Marmalade Skies are gigging solidly to support their debut album 'When I Wake Up' (try the Mount Social Club Saturday Feb 24); and, possibly most ambitious of all, Kingsley Smith and Dhaivat Mehta have created an entire rock opera, 'Shadows & Light', which is now on streaming platforms.

Marmalade Skies.

And I've run out of space again. But it shouldn't matter. The jazz festival is going to be brilliant and if you doubt me look at jazz.org.nz. It is huge and magnificent.

Jazz Village main stage.

Here are just three events: Good Friday at the Historic (Jazz) Village: Shaken Not Stirred, The Flaming Mudcats, Michal Martyniuk Quartet and more.

Saturday and Sunday downtown on four stages and two dozen bars and restaurants: The Desotos, Chris Williamson Band, The John Key Trio, Afrolites, Nick Granville Trio, Miho's Jazz Orchestra and more. Monday at the Mount: Big Tasty, Kokomo, RetroGroove and more. 

Shane Hales.

That should be the mantra for this year's festival: “and more”. Check it out - you will be amazed.

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