Jazz Tui for NZSM

The NZSM Big Band with Rodger Fox (centre)

A recording project for the New Zealand School of Music Big Band has been awarded the Tui for Best Jazz Album of 2009.

The album, titled Run For Cover, was recorded in August 2009 under the musical direction of renowned big band leader Rodger Fox. Engineered by Grammy nominee Talley Sherwood, Run For Cover features the best of New Zealand's young musicians plus three international jazz recording artists - trumpeter Clay Jenkins, saxophonist Bob Sheppard and pianist Bill Cunliffe. Other guests include Kiwi jazz luminaries Nick Granville (guitar), Lance Philip (drums/percussion) and Alex Nyman (EWI). The album comprises the full range of big band jazz sounds with works composed by the likes of Horace Silver, Bill Liston, Marcus Miller, Don Menza, Clifford Brown, Pete Jackson and more. 
The CD is now available through SOUNZ.

RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith says the band is no longer a secret. "The New Zealand School of Music Big Band is one of the most exciting additions to the local big band scene. It features some of the country's best up-and-coming jazz talent drawn from the cream of the New Zealand School of Music. The band's win in 2009 is testament to the school’s role in fostering big band jazz in New Zealand and, as always, Rodger Fox’s involvement has been hugely influential in the group’s success," Campbell says.

The band has appeared in concert with major artists such as Mike Nock, Jon Papenbrook, trombonist Jim Pugh, trumpeter Clay Jenkins, Mr. Georgie Fame, international saxophone artist Bob Sheppard and the Sinatra "Lives" concert series as well as performing at the Wellington Jazz Festival, Deco Decanted Jazz Festival in Napier, and the Tauranga and Manawatu jazz festivals in 2009.

The other two finalists for the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand Jazz Album of 2009 were trios – Together Again by Alan Broadbent, Frank Gibson and Putter Smith and Open To Suggestions from Ron Samson, Dixon Nacey and Kevin Haines. The New Zealand School of Music Big Band's win will be recognized at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2010 on 7th October.