Lucky 13

LUCKY 13 is, Neil Finlay, (Vocals Guitar) / Nigel Gavin (Vocals Guitar) / James Sneyd, (Violin) / Aaron Codell (Bass) and Alan McDonald (percussion).

At the heart of this band is Swing Blues, songs from the old school of blues greats, but with a line-up like this anything can happen. From a jazz tune or two or a bit of Western Swing thrown in for good measure, the highly skilled musicians of Lucky 13 are bound to surprise and delight.

Playing at Lopdell Theatre Titirangi. Door sales available if not sold out. Bookings text 0210 222 5558.

BAND DETAILS
This acoustic style based band will take you on a foot tapping, finger snapping journey through the music that served as the foundation of jazz and modern popular music a new experience in ‘old Time Blues’. Music from the Southern Juke Joints of the 19 - 20 & 30s American South to the smoky bar rooms of 1960s Chicago.

Neil Finlay
Guitarist, vocalist, harmonica player, recording artist and producer Neil Finlay has had a diverse career to date. Since his teens, his love and finesse for old time blues has seen him sharing the stage with multiple international blues and country musicians and touring with the likes of Brownie McGhee and Billy Joe. Finlay's musicianship spans widely across country, blues, jazz and swing and he has graced many a jazz bar, blues club and folk festival as a soloist or with one of his multiple bands.

James Sneyd
Originally from Dunedin, he has travelled the world in his capacity of Mathematics Professor performing wherever he is located. James is highly skilled at any genre he adopts from Celtic, Country Rock, Manouche and Latin jazz. James has just the right vintage sound the band requires as well as a talent for original material. Audiences enjoy the blitzing music duels with other melodists.

Nigel Gavin
Originally from Long Island, New York. Nigel is a leading figure, teacher, performer, composer, locally and internationally. A master of the 7-string guitar in fact almost anything with strings he has performed with many well-known groups: Nairobi Trio, the Fondue Set, the Jews Brothers, the Blue Bottom Stompers, his own Gitbox Rebellion and a core member Vox Nova. He also record and tours with his French partner Sonia Wilson.

Alan MacDonald
Originally a rock drummer in Dunedin during his teens, Scottish born cajon player Alan created VoxNova Latin Jazz Band in 1987. VoxNova (until covid) enjoyed many residencies lasting years, sold-out concerts, Auckland Jazz Club and Tauranga Jazz Festival performances. Alan also performed in a Celtic band for a 6-year residency. Additional bands created for residences include: Zydecosis, Cajynx, and Shamrockers! Alan and Neil Finlay co-founded Lucky 13 in 2022, an extension of the above bands.

Aaron Codell
Wellington born, a long-term member of VoxNova having previously accumulated great deal of experience performing for jazz greats Cleo Laine, Mark Murphy and saxophonist George Coleman, Annie Crummer, Hello Sailor, King Kapisi, as well as vocalists Caitlin Smith, Jan Hellriegel and Linn Lorkin. Aaron has also supported a long list of theatrical productions and occasionally moonlights with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.