Whanganui Musicians Club

28/06/2025

See you all this Friday!!!

21/06/2025

Club Night Friday 4 July and trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Jjeff Culverwell is back in town with a new band and a new sound that he calls Neo Fusion. You don’t wanna miss this band with Peter Blake on keys, Blain Fitzpatrick on bass, Dez Malon on drums and Steve Poulton on guitar. These are some seriously good musicians playing an exciting repertoire. Come on down. Open mic kicks off at 7pm, with our invited guests hitting the stage anytime after 9. See you at the club!

28/05/2025

Club Night Friday 6 June
Pining Radiata, "creating dreamy, distorted alternative rock with moments of fragility and blistering distortion”.

12/05/2025

Whanganui Musicians Club doin' it!

27/04/2025

60 student musicians and a whole lot of music ... come and support the Kaupapa

International Jazz Day Concert and workshop - 30 April

This will be Whanganui’s 7th annual celebration of International Jazz Day. As organiser Ken Chernoff says, “Whanganui has championed this UNESCO initiative since 2018 by introducing our student population to the wonders of jazz music.”
This year, there will be an afternoon workshop for selected students from Whanganui, Manawatū and the Wairarapa, followed by a concert performed by both teaching and student musicians based on the workshop, at the Whanganui Musicians Club, 65 Drews Ave, from 7pm to 8.30pm.

The concert will celebrate the great jazz tradition and its influence on education and culture. It will feature James Tait-Jamieson and the Jazz Through the Decades Collective with the participation of the Whanganui, Manawatū & Wairarapa Student Jazz Ensemble.

The Musical Director will be James Tait-Jamieson. James has been performing professionally since 1996 and has a Masters Degree in Jazz Saxophone Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He currently resides in his hometown of Palmerston North where he is a fulltime itinerant teacher of music in four city high schools.

Ken says, “James has assembled an impressive group of teaching musicians to be part of the workshop.” They include the Erna Ferry for voice, Michael Franklin-Browne for drums, Riwai Hina – trombone, Jess Murphy – piano, Steve Poulton – guitar, Berndt Reiss – bass, Richard Singleton – trumpet and Nicky Wuts – vibraphone.
The workshop starts at 12noon on 30 April and continues to 5pm.

International Jazz Day is supported by the NZ National Commission for UNECO and the Whanganui District Council Creative Communities.

The day itself was established by UNESCO in 2011 and brings together countries and communities worldwide every 30 April. The celebrations highlight the power of jazz and its role in promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity and respect for human dignity.

The Whanganui Jazz Club, of which Ken is the President, remains popular with monthly shows at the St Johns Club, publicised beforehand in the RCP. It costs $20 to join as an individual or $30 for a couple. Each show costs $15 for members and $25 for non-members.

Tickets for the International Jazz Day concert are $25 if bought from the Royal Whanganui Opera House or $30 door sales.

22/04/2025

📣📣 Notice of AGM ‼️

Nau mai, haere mai to members of the Whanganui Musicians Club and those wanting to join - (memberships will be available on the night)

When: This Thursday the 24th April from 5:30pm
Where: WMC main hall - 65 Drew’s Ave, Whanganui

Agenda:

Chairmans Report
Financial Report

Election of officers for Executive Committee:

Chair
Deputy Chair
Secretary
Administrator
Treasurer

Sub committees:

Maintenance
Music
Publicity & Fundraising

Light kai provided! Hope to see you there e te whānau 😘🎶🎼🎵🎤🎧🎸🥁🎹

07/04/2025

Aussie Blues Legends Return to Rock Whanganui Saturday 12 April 7:30 pm
It’s not often the we get a chance to hear a band with credentials that reach back as far as those of the Checkerboard Lounge. Evolving over thirty-five years the band has become a cult-like institution. The brainchild of renowned singer, songwriter and drummer Carl Pannuzzo, the band has enjoyed diverse membership over its lifespan. Ever since their famed seven-year residency at Melbourne’s Great Britain Hotel in the early 90s, many budding young musicians have cut their blues teeth with the uncompromising fire of this band's energy. Checkerboard has inspired the development of some of Australia's finest musicians and bands.
The current line-up is arguably the band’s strongest ever, with Pannuzzo joined by the cream of Australia’s talent in guitar master Shannon Bourne and Hammond organ virtuoso Tim Neal. Shannon is an extraordinarily accomplished and tasteful guitarist who has been performing since he was fourteen. He delivers a beautiful balance between full on rock solos to gentle fills and riffs, augmented by unstoppable rhythm and timing. Tim is a highly sought after, award winning multi-instrumentalist and Australia’s foremost exponent of the Hammond Organ who is in demand both in Australia and internationally. His effortless style and musical acuity mean he can elevate the band to great heights at will.
World-class musicianship mean Checkerboard are a powerhouse to be reckoned with. The evidence of their time playing together, staying true to their hearts and each other, shows an integrity and originality that delivers a potent brew of blues, roots and soul that is undeniable. This is the same band that rocked the famed Musicians Club Hall last year, and there will be many returning fans who will be first at the door on Saturday. If you haven’t seen the band before, you won’t want to miss this performance.

07/04/2025

More great blues from Oz. Come and get it!

30/03/2025

30/03/2025

DARK WATER return Friday 4 April Club Night. Welcome Nathan, Ross and Merran.

21/03/2025

Hurricane Warning! 28 March!

28/02/2025

FRIDAY 7 MARCH CLUB NIGHT COMING UP. DOORS OPEN 7PM🎶