Plenty has been written about Kiwi
classical and pop musicians, but a significant area of our musical
heritage has been largely ignored. This is the sometimes
interchangeable world of jazz and dance band
musicians.
Wellington pianist, trumpet player and
composer Kevin Clark is one of New Zealand’s top concert and
recording jazz musicians, who has also played
more than his share of music for dancers and drinkers. In From
the Bandstand he describes many of his experiences – polite and
not so polite and often hilarious. He
chronicles cultural shifts in
our social history including the end of the six o’clock swill, the
rise and fall of booze barns and dine
&
dance, and the decline of community hall ‘socials’ with their kegs
of beer, plates of savs and raffle draws.
Much of the book describes music making in
Wellington, where Clark is still active. He also has a national
profile, with award-winning recordings, concert and TV appearances
and many recordings for Radio NZ National.
Kevin Clark is also
an accomplished cartoonist and has illustrated 14 of the zanier
events described in this book.
• softcover
• 113 pages •
comprehensive
index
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