A jazz twist on hymns and spirituals
Step out of the city into the serene jazz surrounds of St Peter’s church on Willis Street in this free concert series featuring Nick Granville & Francisco Torres, Anita Schwabe, and Barney McAll & Bella Kalolo. Then round out five days of heavenly music with the Sunday Jazz Service, a much-loved Wellington Jazz Festival tradition.
Sweet Sweet Spirit” – Barney McAll interprets Doris Akers
This world premiere performance features Barney McAll’s arrangements of music by the great gospel composer Doris Akers featuring stellar vocalist Bella Kalolo. Akers was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and was honoured by the Smithsonian Institution as “the foremost black gospel songwriter in the United States”.
Barney McAll is a Grammy Nominated, ARIA Winning artist who has played on over 100 albums and released highly acclaimed 14 solo albums and he will draw here on his experience playing in church for six years in Queens, New York. Barney has worked with a who's who of international music greats including; Dewey Redman, Maceo parker, Fred Wesley, Aloe Blacc, Gary Bartz, Roy Ayers, Sia Furler and Kurt Rosenwinkel.
Hailing from Christchurch, Bella Kalolo is a Samoan, Tongan and M'ori (Ng'ti Porou) soul sister who has been handpicked to work with and support artists as diverse as Mos Def, Ciara, Renee Geyer, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Dave Dobbyn, Hollie Smith, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and soul legend Chaka Khan. Her reputation as one of New Zealand’s most entertaining performers has earned her spots at Glastonbury, City of London Festival, Sydney Festival, Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, and closer to home; Tauranga Jazz Fest, Waiheke Jazz Fest, Parachute Festival and the huge Waitangi Day celebrations at Flatbush, Manukau.
This event will be a unique take on the music and spirit of one of the most treasured gospel composers of our times.
Part of the Jazz at St Peter's Programme.
Part of the 2018 Wellington Jazz Festival.
