The Auckland Roots and Groove Festival

For three consecutive nights Auckland’s SKYCITY Theatre will be hosting musical greats from the worlds of Jazz, R’n’B and Soul. We are delighted to announce both international and home-grown headliners in; The John Scofield and Joe Lovano Quartet, Open Souls and Charlie Musslewhite.

The John Scofield and Joe Lovano Quartet will open the Auckland Roots and Groove Festival on 24 October, featuring Matt Penman on Bass and Matt Wilson’s talents on drums. This is the first time the group have brought their musical blend of intensity, skill and fun to New Zealand, and 20 years since Scofield and Lovano have joined forces to play live on stage.

Lauded for their individual collaborations with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Pat Metheny and Herbie Hancock, this is a fantastic opportunity to see a Blue Note record label veteran play with one of the ‘Big Three’ Jazz guitarists.

New Zealand favourites Open Souls will propel proceedings on 25 October, following the success of their debut album Kaleidoscope. The seven-piece Hip Hop band and production team feature two vocalists, whose lyrical musings encompass Soul, Funk, Reggae as well as Jazz and Blues, are entertaining crowds worldwide.

Music legend Charlie Musselwhite will play in front of an 18-piece Big Band for the very first time during his headlining slot on 26 October. Supporting himself with guitarist Danny Caron and Hammond organist David K Matthews, Musselwhite will exercise his usual hybrid of wild Country and Blues.

A long time collaborator with John Lee Hooker, Musselwhite recently recorded with folk-rocker Ben Harper adding to his previous works with The Blind Boys of Alabama and Tom Waits, and famously played the harmonic riff on the Inxs hit ‘Suicide Blonde.’ His ability to express honest emotions through his story-telling lyrics makes Musselwhite’s engaging performances a must-see.

Event listed by Communications

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