Good times sure to roll at the 3rd Annual Kerikeri Summer Jazz Festival | FEBRUARY 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, jazz lovers and cool cats alike - get ready to soak up the sunshine and the sweet, swinging sounds of the 3rd Annual Kerikeri Summer Jazz Festival, brought to you by Craigs Investment Partners and the Kerikeri Jazz Club.

This year’s lineup is nothing short of spectacular. It features the legendary Nairobi Trio, the dynamic duo of Dave MacRae and Joy Yates, the iconic Ray Woolf, the powerhouse Basin City Big Band and the groove-laden Soul Bossa.

Set against the lush, rolling greens of the Bay of Islands Golf Club, this festival is more than just music - it’s an experience. Picture this: a warm summer breeze, the scent of fresh grass (you’re close to the line – Ed) and the unmistakable rhythm of jazz floating through the air. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or just dipping your toes into the world of swing, blues and bebop, there’s something here to make your soul dance.

So grab your picnic blanket, pour a glass of something smooth and let’s celebrate the magic of live jazz under the open sky. This is where the music comes alive—where every note tells a story and every beat makes you move. Kerikeri, get ready to groove!

Described as New Zealand's favourite “Jazz Entertainers”, the Nairobi trio has 35 years of touring experience across the globe, playing in all manner of settings – vineyards, village halls, theatres and festivals. You name it, they’ve played it – from Raffles Hotel in Singapore, festival stages in the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Italy and France, and throughout Australasia and the Pacific. Always playing to the crowd, the Nairobi trio showcase skilfully-crafted original material, reimagined standards and popular tunes delivered in a dynamic and engaging live show.

Australian based Dave MacRae and Joy Yates are world class performers who have worked with many international artists from the UK and USA including Chet Baker, Buddy Rich Band, Clark Terry and Ronnie Scott. Also Van Morrison, Gladys Knight, Cilla Black, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner and George Michael.

NZ legend of music Ray Woolf will be performing with the Basin City Big Band, a 20-piece orchestra that will also perform classic big band jazz from the 50s to the 90s and beyond, including the music of Michael Bublé’, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and others.

Brazilian music performed by Soul Bossa will round off the afternoon with the Latin sounds and rhythms of South America.

We look forward to seeing you there. Tickets are now on sale at Eventfinda and at The Sound Lounge, Kerikeri.