Join us for an after-work drink and a taste of modern improvised jazz at our October Late Night. We’re partnering with Harmony & Rhythm to present Pōneke-based Umar Zakaria on the Double Bass and Ōtautahi-based Jimmy Rainey on Saxophone from 5:30pm in David Straight’s exhibition, John Scott Works. Both musicians will present a solo set followed by a final set as a duo.

Lux Espresso will be open with all your post-work needs - including a special menu crafted just for our late nights - show them some love and pop through. And of course, our exhibitions will be open and ripe for your viewing pleasure.

Our friends at The Physics Room and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū will be open too! See their facebook pages for more information. 

Schedule:

5-8pm - Exhibitions open: 'A way through' - Colin McCahon's Gate III, David Straight: John Scott Works and, Jasmine Togo-Brisby: From Bones and Bellies

From 5:30pm - Umar Zakaria and Jimmy Rainey in Ō Raki North Gallery

5-7:30pm - Lux Espresso Open

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Umar Zakaria (Double Bass)

Umar Zakaria is a New Zealand bassist and composer filled with hope for the future. His music unites diverse musical traditions to inspire communication and cooperation across ideological boundaries. In 2018 he was named Best Jazz Artist by Recorded Music New Zealand.

He has given performances across Europe, Asia and the USA alongside Myele Manzanza, Norio Maeda, Snorre Kirk, Fabia Mantwill and Ben Wendel among others. He is a student of legendary jazz bassists Cecil McBee and Lynn Seaton as well as NZ’s own Paul Dyne, and was awarded 2nd prize at the BASS2014 International Jazz Bass Competition. Umar also represented New Zealand as one of 3 bassists selected from around the world to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program for jazz performer-composers at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C, and attended the renowned Banff International Workshop for Jazz and Creative Music in 2019.

As well as performing original tunes in his own quartets and trios over more than a decade of experience as a bandleader, Umar’s compositions have been heard on Radio New Zealand, at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington and in the Christchurch Town Hall. 

Jimmy Rainey (Saxophone)

Jimmy Rainey is a saxophonist and composer based in Ōtautahi. He is an award-winning graduate of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, as well as Christchurch's own Ara Music Arts programme. Jimmy has performed at a variety of venues and festivals around Europe and Aotearoa, including Paradiso, Bimhuis, Zwarte Cross, Amsterdam Open Air, and all the major NZ Jazz festivals. He has worked and performed with Snarky Puppy, Bob Mintzer, Reinier Baas, John Clayton, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Jesse van Ruller, Miho Hazama, Shapeshifter, and the Jong Metropole Orkes.