The Jac: A Gathering/Walking Spirits Double Album Release

The Jac is back! A year on from the COVID-enforced online release of their third studio album 'A Gathering', the band is reforming in 2021 to tour Aotearoa once again, with a follow up album 'Walking Spirits'!

Featuring material from The Jac's 2017 collaboration with Korean quartet Black String, plus a swathe of brand new original compositions, the two albums represent a milestone in their sound. Recorded at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, they are a beautifully produced capture of a band at the height of its powers, showcasing their intricate and immersive compositions, tight ensemble playing and assertive, individual improvising voices.

'Tūī', one of the titles from 'A Gathering', was awarded the APRA NZ Best Jazz Composition award in 2020. The Jac has performed the music for no less than 5 other winners and nominees of the same award since 2014. They have headlined the Wellington Jazz Festival (NZ) with Black String, featured in the Jarasum International Jazz Festival (KOR), Bukchon Music Festival (KOR), National Jazz and Blues Festival (NZ) and performed throughout Aotearoa, Australia and South Korea.

Wellington jazz stalwarts Jake Baxendale, Chris Buckland (saxophones), Callum Allardice (guitar), Nick Tipping (bass) and Shaun Anderson (drums) are joined by the NZSO's Matthew Allison (trombone) plus special guests Daniel Hayles (piano) and Michael Ben Hunt (trumpet) for this very special concert as part of the 2021 Wellington International Jazz Festival.

Many thanks to Creative New Zealand for their generous support.