Jazz training can be a great foundation for a professional music career, but there are still too few opportunities for young Kiwi jazz musicians, says Rodger Fox.
The trombonist and music teacher has been made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for his services to music.
Rodger Fox Photo: Victoria University
Fox has played some of the top jazz clubs and festivals around the globe for nearly 50 years, but says he still tries to keep the members of his legendary Rodger Fox Big Band on the younger side.
"It keeps you fresh, it keeps me up to date with what's going on…"
Many of his players are current or former jazz students at the New Zealand School of Music where Fox teaches.
Jazz-trained musicians can be found in Wellington bands Drax Project and Fat Freddy's Drop and funk-roots heroes L.A.B., he says.
These bands have a good sound and vibe because of the balance that comes from a mix of band members - some who grew up playing in covers bands and others influenced by jazz.
"You can learn [jazz] music and end up in Fat Freddy's Drop… and end up in Drax Project, L.A.B. or whatever."
Fox was only 18 himself when he began playing with a dance band in the Wellington / Porirua area.
Over his nearly 50-year music career, two of the biggest highlights were playing at Europe's legendary Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1980 - the first-ever NZ band invited to play at an international jazz festival and hosting American jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker's visit to New Zealand to celebrate Rodger Fox Big Band's 30th anniversary.
His latest project is a big-band take on the music of Sir Dave Dobbyn, which Fox says is part of a trend of big bands doing their own arrangements of pop songs.
You can buy plenty of overseas music online but New Zealand music for big bands is harder to find.
The music charts will be made available to both community and high school big bands in Aotearoa, Fox says.
"It's fostering New Zealand music and New Zealand art, which is what the whole thing's about, I think."
