Bent Horseshoe: Wellington Heads

Named after the striking features on Wellington’s rugged southern coastline, Wellington Heads have been playing in and around the capital city for nigh on 20 years.

Wellington Heads consists of three core songwriter-musicians (Geoff Keith, Neil Worboys, and Bill Wood) who sometimes play as a three piece but more often play with a drummer and horn players to form a larger live and recording band. Their songs comment on life experiences with a distinctive Wellington flavour.

Wellington Heads have evolved their own sound through the influences of Kansas style blue jazz, the swinging rhythm n blues of Louis Jordan and Ray Charles, Chicago blues and infused with Pacific/Hawaiian rhythms and Latino feels.

Sharp and energetic, Wellington Heads entice people to the dance floor, regularly delighting audiences at Wellington venues, and playing festivals, corporate and private functions. They are frequently invited to perform outside of Wellington, and over recent years have played the Tauranga, Manawatu, Nelson and Wellington Jazz and Blues Festivals.

Wellington Heads have recorded five albums, their last ‘Southern Night Sky’ released in 2016. This critically acclaimed album continues their unique sound with a mix of rhythm n’ blues, swing, soul and latino grooves. In combining this with their previous albums Wellington Heads have built an extensive repertoire of eclectic original songs.

Wellington Heads’ six piece line up is: Neil Worboys – vocals, guitar, harmonica, Bill Wood – guitars, Geoff Keith – bass, Greg Crayford – drums, Phil Costello – saxophone, Nick van Dijk – trombone, trumpet.