Very little has been published about a music that played a significant role in New Zealand community life throughout the 20th century. Beginning with a perceptive look at the early forays into the world of jazz in Australia and New Zealand, Jazz Aotearoa is the first step in documenting the history and great moments of improvised music in this land. Jazz in all its variety and splendour is here: classic performers like Mike Nock and Allan Broadbent; world-class events such as the Tauranga Jazz Festival; livewire venues like Wellington's Space and Happy; and the challenging fusion of taonga puoro, traditional Maori instruments, with the saxophone in which the very definition of 'jazz' as improvised music is stretched to its limit.

Table of Contents

Contents include: Across the Big Pond: Early jazz activity in New Zealand -- Jazz on a Summer's Night: Tauranga Jazz Festival -- Mike Nock on NZ & Jazz -- The Space: Jazz venues and performers -- Traditional Maori Instruments: Richard Nunns & Jeff Henderson.