Herbie Hancock To Headline Wellington Jazz Festival 2019

US jazz legend Herbie Hancock is returning to Aotearoa this winter to headline the Wellington Jazz Festival 2019, who have revealed the first lineup for this year's iteration of the annual celebration of horn-tooting sonic diversity, happening over five days and at multiple venues in the capital this June. More stellar international and local acts announced for the festival include trailblazing Oakland trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, Texas hip hop funksters Ghost-Note (co-helmed by Snarky Puppy's Robert “Sput" Searight and Nate Werth), New York vocalist Alicia Olatuja, local figureheads the Rodger Fox Big Band, and Montreal composer / saxophonist Christine Jensen and NZ-born composer / trumpet player Lex French are joining forces for a collaborative work. There'll be more than 100 gigs across the city for open-eared punters to explore and the festival's full lineup will be unveiled on 15th April – scope out the details shared so far here...

Wellington Jazz Festival
Wednesday 5th – Sunday 9th June
Featuring... Herbie Hancock, Ghost-Note, Ambrose Akinmusire, Alicia Olatuja, Lex French & Christine Jensen, Rodger Fox Big Band + more to be announced

Check out live footage of Herbie Hancock playing his signature fusion tune 'Chameleon' at Messe Basel, Switzerland in 2006...

Here's the amazing video for Hancock's 1984 electro classic 'Rocket'...

Press release:

The annual Wellington Jazz Festival is the highlight of Aotearoa’s mid-winter music calendar, featuring some of the finest musicians from across New Zealand and around the globe. Jazz aficionados and intrepid newcomers can explore more than 100 gigs across the city, with five days of serious play bringing the sounds and spirit of jazz to the capital’s streets, cafes, bars and live music venues.

Jazz Legend Herbie Hancock headlines this year’s programme, which also features the explosive funk ensemble Ghost Note, ground breaking trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, and the exquisite vocals of Alicia Olatuja. A collaboration between composers Lex French and Christine Jensen, along with perennial favourite the Rodger Fox Big Band spearhead the distinct sounds of New Zealand jazz. The full programme is announced 15 April.