Gate opens 6.30pm Music Starts 7pm Saturday 9 August 2025
The Carol Bean Band play a mix of jazzy blues with a heavy helping of original songs and stylish instrumentation. Carol Bean – vocals and guitar, Costa Botes – guitar(s), George Packard – upright bass, and Andrew Grayson – drums.
English-born, California-raised, Carol was influenced by the West Coast music of the 60s and the blues of Mississippi John Hurt, Mance Lipscomb, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Doc Watson. At LA’s Ash Grove and McCabe’s Music Store she was taught her picking style from a young Ry Cooder who encouraged her to buy the Martin guitar she still plays today. Carol has fronted several bands in New Zealand and recorded 3 studio albums, all on Spotify. She continues to perform at the Wellington Roomfulla Blues Club and with the Kelburn Viaduct Municipal Ensemble Jug Band.
Carol’s singing is versatile, vibrant, and delivers an earthy quality to her songs. Tom Villano, LA
… when the mood drops she reveals a more intimate, reflective side…. Graham Reid
The first three songs of Next Bus Out perfectly set the album up for the interesting journey that is to come. Nick Bollinger.
Costa is a veteran independent filmmaker with several award winning short films and feature length documentaries to his credit, including the notorious ‘mock doc’ Forgotten Silver, which he made with Peter Jackson. For the last two decades he has created a run of films celebrating individuals who are quirky, creative, passionate, and above all, persistent (Struggle No More, The Last Dogs of Winter, Act of Kindness, Angie, When The Cows Come Home). These films have included studies of musicians (Paddy Burgin's Wooden Box Band, Nigel Gavin’s Circus, and The Shot Band/ Hobnails @ The Paramount Theatre) because Costa has been a persistent closet musician himself. He has had stints with Chris and Eva Prowse, and Carol Bean's Mount Misery String Band. When he was younger, Costa wanted to move his fingers really fast. Now he just tries to put them in the right place, song by song, and man - does he ever. “Tasty”, “Amazing”, “Great playing”.
Costa Botes | NZ On Screen & Costa Botes Lone Pine Films (vimeo.com)
George is a professional musician and tutor on Whitireia Polytechnic’s Music Programme, trained classically on the cello. George’s first improvisational experiences were playing ukulele along with the Rolling Stones, John Mayall and The Band (in his bedroom). With little market for improvisational ukulele he took up the double bass.
George enjoys playing in bands that push the envelope and give expression to the human soul. He has played extensively in many Wellington groups (including currently with the Rag Poets band), appearing a number of times for the Wellington International Festival of the Arts, undertaking national tours for Chamber Music New Zealand, and backing overseas artists in New Zealand. His playing ranges from classical to jazz, to Latin, to ethnic fusion to Americana and country. He believes - at a fundamental level - that music is about human beings making sense of the world and themselves, and about helping heal the world.
Andrew is also the drummer for the band Ghostplane (Beneath the Sleepy Lagoon; Panther Valley Country Club (Arch Hill Records), which includes Phoenix Foundation members). Not only has he joined our team, but his passion is surfing - so let's say he's the youngest and the fittest.
Not for profit, supporting our dedicated musicians. Suggested donation $30
Come along and enjoy this gig in our special space, up close and personal.
Teas, Coffee and Snacks provided. You're welcome to bring anything you'd like to eat or drink.
Parking available in the Coupon zones of Upland Rd & Glasgow St free after 6pm weekdays, and free all through the weekends. The Wilson Carpark at the top of the Cable Car charges 24/7.
