18/09/2008
ROOTS AND GROOVE FESTIVAL AT SKYCITY THEATRE
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, the Quartet challenge conventional definitions of the jazz idiom through live performances and celebrated recordings. 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. A live favourite, the Roots and Groove Festival will see Open Souls perform new material along with classics like ‘Turn It Up.’
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.
The Roots and Groove Festival is at SKYCITY Theatre from 24-26 October.
Tickets are available from Ticketek at www.ticketek.co.nz or phone 0800 842 538.
For more information visit www.skycityauckland.co.nz
For interviews, images and other information please contact:
Olivia Brewer, Communications Executive
SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Phone: +64 9 363 6334
Mobile: 021 505 638
E-mail: olivia.brewer@skycity.co.nz
