Hamilton Jazz Society: The ZNote Jazz Band

The Znote Jazz Band wowed us back in March. This international line up of talent, Zimieel Jooste (keyboard), Yolanda Jooste (Vocals), Caylen Crawford (guitar), Joshua Dann (saxophone), Carlos Pla (bass), Andrew Hewatt (drums) and Cara Graham (vocals), return this month, for what I am sure will be another outstanding afternoon of Jazz.

Zimieel, specialising in keyboards, had an extensive musical background in South Africa, before moving to NZ three years ago, where he has since been involved in, music groups and choirs throughout the North Island, Jazz and music societies. He is currently working as a Music Therapist for the Community Living Trust. In 2019 Zimieel won the Korg Australasian Grammar award for Chord Progression (Keyboardist) & Music Production.

Yolanda, also from South Africa has been a vocalist for many groups over the last 25 years, including the Solid Foundation Gospel Band & Youth Choir in CapeTown, South Africa. Since shifting to New Zealand Zolanda is enjoying using her vocal talents in Jazz and Gospel around the North Island.

Caylen Crawford, a guitarist, bassist and film composer from New York, has had the privilege of working with musicians from around the world. In 2010 he studies at the Los Angeles College of Music (LACM), graduating with a degree in guitar performance and then went on to study composition for film/TV, graduating in 2015. Caylen worked as a session musician in Los Angeles for a few years before moving to New Zealand where he continues to write, record and perform.

Josh Dann, grew up in Palmerston North and works at Waikato Hospital as a radiographer. His musical journey started in 2003 on the clarinet moving quickly onto the tenor saxophone which he has loved playing for many years now. He started off playing in a jazz combo at school with a bunch of friends doing all sorts of gigs from weddings to the Honda Jazz car release. Josh has since been a part of church bands, my own covers band, the Swamp City Big Band and now with Znote.

Carlos Pla was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, From a young age, he was influenced by candombe and Brasilian afro rhythms. He eventually started to study jazz music and play at Montevideo's local jazz clubs.

His first band, Licuadora (the blender), became a successful fusion band in the mid-'80s, and he started to work with very important Uruguayan artists, such as Fernando Cabrera, with whom he recorded a few works including a film soundtrack (El Chevrolet). Since moving to NZ in 2002, Carlos has established himself as a talented bass player and is regularly heard at festivals, Speakeasy, and with various Jazz and Blues bands.

Andrew Hewat has been playing drums since he was 12. He grew up playing in church before joining numerous bands durings his high school years. Post high school he attended Massey University to study Jazz - Majoring in drumset performance. Since his Return to Hamilton he has played in top Hamilton Blues Band - ‘Out Of The Blues’ and is a current member of the exciting jazz quartet - Fifth Degree, a group that explores jazz, latin and their own material.

Cara Graham, born and raised in Hamilton, has sung all her life; all sorts of music (pop-rock, choral, kapa haka, country music and, for the past ten years, blues and jazz ), in NZ, UK and Australia. A regular at Speakeasy Jazz and Hamilton Blues Society, Cara has also performed at several jazz/blues festivals.

Support act for the month TBA
Coming up:
Sunday 20th October – Fifth Degree (Please note week early because of Labour Weekend)
Sunday 28th November – Wizard and Oz return
Sunday 15th December – Art Gecko for our Christmas Party. (Please note early date)

Do join us for a relaxed way to wind down the weekend, enjoy some great music and company.
Meals, snack and refreshments are available for purchase from the Club.