Queen City Big Band Achievements
It is also interesting to note that over the fast few years, with the building of the band's standard of playing and performance to a very high level that many individuals have gone on to further their careers in music:
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Matt Fieldes won a Young Achievers Award and went on to study at Juilliard School of Music in New York. |
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Matt Penman and Greg Tuohey both won Young Achievers Awards for further music education at Berklee College of Music, Boston |
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Jason Jones is now a professional saxophone player and teacher, who also went on to study at Berklee College of Music. He has since performed as special guest at one of the band's Maidment Theatre jazz concerts. |
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Our vocalists have gone on to feature regularly in major shows - e.g. 42nd Street, Buddy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mikado, Pirates of Penzance. |
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In 1995, eight Queen City Big Band musicians and one vocalist were selected for that year's National Youth Jazz Orchestra. |
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In 1996, four of the band's musicians won ""Best Musician' awards at the Tauranga Jazz Festival, competing against musicians from all over New Zealand. |
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In 1997, the band's lead saxophonist, Lewis McCallum, won the award for "Most Outstanding Musician Under 20" at the Tauranga Jazz Festival. |
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In 1998, Cameron Allen, another of our saxophonists, won the same award. |
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In 1999 guitarist Cy Winstanley won the award for best guitarist at the Tauranga Jazz Festival. |
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In 1999, Queen City had two players in the New Zealand Highs Schools Jazz Orchestra and four in the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra. |
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In 1999 bass player Vanessa McGowan won best musician award at Auckland Citizen Watch birdcage competition. As well as the 2000 Jerry Wise young jazz musician of the year and received an AMES award in 2001 |
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In both 2000 and 2001 drummer Chris Cope won the award for best drummer at the Tauranga Jazz Festival. |
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In 2001 saxophonist Andrew Craig won the award for best saxophone at the Tauranga Jazz Festival. |
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In 2000, Queen City had three players in the New Zealand Highs Schools Jazz Orchestra and one in the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra. |
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In 2001 trombonist Hayley Barker successfully auditioned for the stage musical ‘Chicago’ which will tour New Zealand over an eight week season. |
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Many members of the band past and present are or have enrolled in Auckland University’s & Massey University’s Jazz performance courses. |
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Many members of the Queen City Big Band have gone on to play and become long term members of the Rodger Fox Big Band. |
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Queen City Big Band features regularly for the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club at the Gables Hotel Auckland NZ. |
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Queen City Big Band featured at the Manawatu Jazz Festival 2006. |