Spotlight: Elemental Jazz ft. Clear Path Ensemble, The Lahaar, Arjuna Oakes, Phoebe Rings w/ DJs

It's undeniable that jazz is on the upswing in Aotearoa. Celebrating that spiritually energising development, Jazz Auckland are presenting Elemental Jazz over two nights this winter at Tāmaki Makaurau's Neck of the Woods, bringing the live heat as part of Elemental AKL. Helmed by Pōneke-based multi-instrumentalist and production wiz Cory Champion (Borrowed cs), exploratory jazz voyagers Clear Path Ensemble will play a rare super city event on 22nd July, following the recent launch of second album Solar Eclipse via UK-based global tastemakers Soundway. They'll be joined on the night by fellow Wellingtonian Arjuna Oakes with full live band, your last chance to catch the rising star playing material from across his recent six EPs (including a collaborative release with acclaimed composer John Psathas) before he relocates to London.

Playing their live debut will be The Lahaar, the trans-Tasman collective of of Julien Dyne (Avantdale Bowling Club, Opensouls), Horatio Luna and Lachlan Stuckey (Surprise Chef), with Mara TK on vocals and special guests galore , scope out the full lineup details below. They're currently sizzling up local airwaves with sounds from their new self-titled EP (also out via Soundway), drawing inspiration from "late 70's NYC proto-rap disco instrumentals, Nigerian boogie, Jamaican dub and modern jazzy house". The Lahaar will be headlining evening two of Elemental Jazz on 4th August alongside super city dream pop / avant-jazz collective Phoebe Rings, fronted by Crystal Choi. The mega-talented bill also includes DJs Kenny Sterling (aka Matt Hunter), Carlotta and Hudge (bFM) — dig out your dancing shoes and grip the official details for each night here...

Elemental Jazz - Clear Path Ensemble + Arjuna Oakes
with DJs Kenny Sterling, Hudge
Saturday 22nd July - Neck of the Woods, Auckland
Tickets available HERE via UTR

Elemental Jazz - The Lahaar + Phoebe Rings
with DJs Carlotta, Hudge
Friday 4th August - Neck of the Woods, Auckland
Tickets available HERE via UTR

Clear Path Ensemble's lineup for their Auckland event includes Johnny Lawrence (bass), Daniel Hayles (keys), Ato Baidoo (percussion) and Cory Champion on drums. Check out 'Absolvo' from their latest album Solar Eclipse...

The Lahaar's debut live lineup includes Julien Dyne (drums / percussion), Mara TK (vocals, guitar), Lachlan Stuckey (guitar), Henry Hicks (bass), JY Lee (saxophones / flute), Finn Scholes (trumpet / vibraphone), Joe Kaptien (keyboards) and Matt Hunter (percussion / keyboards). Listen to the red hot 'Doin’ It' from their new self-titled EP...

Take in Arjuna Oakes' soul-infused breakout 2020 single 'Watch The World Burn'...

Experience the cosmic cartoony vistas of Phoebe Rings' 'Lazy Universe', animated by Chippy...