This is our seventh annual celebration of IJD. Whanganui has championed this UNESCO initiaitive since 2018 by introducing our student population to the wonders of jazz music. This year’s theme is It’s all about our Rangatahi, our Youth. They are our future and we want to give them every opportunity to find joy in what they do and to dream of a bright future for themselves and their communities.

Our musical Director this year is the talented James Tait-Jamieson. James has been performing professionally since 1996 and has a Masters Degree in Jazz Saxophone Performance from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He currently resides in his hometown of Palmerston North where he is a full time itinerant teacher of music in four city high schools.

James, has assembled an impressive group of teaching musicians to guide selected students from Whanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa through the basics of jazz improvisation and performance in an afternoon workshop. Introducing the tutors:

James Tait-Jamieson – leader and woodwinds
Erna Ferry – voice
Michael Franklin-Browne – drum kit
Riwai Hina – trombone
Jess Murphy – piano
Steve Poulton - guitar
Berndt Reiss – bass
Richard Singleton – trumpet
Nicky Wuts – vibraphone.

The teaching musicians and student musicians present a concert that is based on the afternoon workshop @ Whanganui Musicians Club from 7:00pm – 8:30pm.

In addition to the musical adventure, we welcome Yana Selyuk, senior advisor to the Secretariat of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and a group of their Youth Leaders who will host an interactive workshop for Whanganui Youth exploring how global initiatives can inspire local action. This workshop will run in the morning prior to the music workshop.