Turner Centre Jazz Club: Springtime Jazz

Springtime Jazz: featuring Mike Booth and the Julie Mason Trio.

Mike Booth: trumpet/flugelhorn
Julie Mason: piano/vocals
Alberto Santarelli: bass
Frank Gibson: drums

Some of Auckland’s favourite (and NZ’s finest) Jazz musicians come together this spring to deliver a series of Springtime Jazz concerts, and we are delighted to be bringing their programme to the Turner Centre Jazz Club. Julie and Mike will be entertaining us with well-loved standards on the theme of spring around the globe. These two wonderful musicians have enjoyed collaborating on this programme, with both contributing arrangements for the occasion.

Amongst familiar old tunes such as “April in Paris” and “It Might As Well Be Spring” there will be lesser-known standards like “Spring Is Here”, and Freddie Hubbard’s “Up Jumped Spring”. With the emphasis on Julie’s sultry vocals and the melodic mastery of internationally renowned trumpeter Mike Booth, this concert promises to warm the heart, bring a possible tear to the eye, and celebrate ‘Spring’ being in the air.

For a special treat Julie and Mike will be inviting two more guests to join them on stage. One being the wonderful pianist Phil Broadhurst for a set, and there is also a surprise guest.

Julie Mason – Vocals/piano
We welcome back Julie who we have featured at the club in the past alongside Phil Broadhurst. This time Julie is at the piano and now, with 40 years of professional experience under her belt throughout Australasia/the South Pacific and Europe, she brings a new maturity in her vocal interpretations of the familiar tunes from “The Great American Songbook”.

Julie is one of NZ’s finest “Hyphenates” Vocalist/Pianist)-a coin phrased by influence Diana Krall. She is delighted to be working yet again with her rhythm section of choice for the past three decades, Frank and Alberto.

Mike Booth – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Mike was a founding member of the Roger Fox Big Band. He moved to Europe in 1989 and performed with Dutch jazz orchestra, De Dijle. He also taught at the Rotterdam and Alkmaar conservatories. Returning home to NZ in 2007 he founded the Auckland Jazz Orchestra. Mike has played with most of the top NZ jazz musicians, along with other artist’s styles over his many years in music.

Alberto Santarelli – Bass
Alberto is widely respected in his native Italy, as well as here in New Zealand. He worked for many years at Auckland’s famous London Bar, along with Phil Broadhurst and Frank Gibson. He has recorded with many artists including Phil’s “The Road Ahead”, and Julie’s “Estate”; “Twelve O’Clock Tales” and her recent release, “Layers of Disguise”.

He also played alongside Phil on George Chisholm’s award winning “Perfect Strangers”. Alberto continues to work in the Auckland scene, including a residency with “Vox Nova”. He is classically trained, and was for many years a bassist with the Auckland Philharmonia.

Frank Gibson – Drums
Frank has had a vast career which has taken him around the world and he is a musician who has shown his ability to play in any genre .All of this has given Frank a very successful career. His CV reads like the “Who’s Who” of jazz, playing for many artists such as Frank Foster, John Scofield, Milt Jackson, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt, Joe Henderson, Dusty Springfield, Anita O’Day and Diana Krall. He has played on over 200 CDs/albums and 250 Jazz, radio programs, Frank won Jazz record of the year 3 times, played on 10 other award winning albums, and been inducted into the Zildjian hall of fame.

We look forward to a celebration of ‘spring’ in music from these wonderful musicians.