In May of this year, we lost Rodger Fox, musician, bandleader, promoter, mentor, and indelible spirit of big band jazz across Aotearoa. Replacing Rodger is impossible, even with dozens of people willing to work in service to him, in honour of his remarkable energy, his complete commitment, his force of nature. But as Julie Lamb reports, we’re going to try! For Rodger, for the kids in schools, for the future…

Kua hinga te tōtara o te waonui a tāne – a mighty tōtara has fallen. Rodger’s kaupapa was huge, his joy in music that so many of us felt when we watched him perform, or usher in the performances of others, was part of an enormous body of his work. Continuing this mahi means working with existing projects and frameworks, and ensuring their continuation with support from audiences, from community, from musicians.

Big band jazz was his absolute love, he dedicated his life to it, but in the spirit of collaboration he was able to bring names from outside the genre into it, and was able to take players from big bands towards pop, rock, soul, and hip hop. 

At the core of all of this was the idea of connection – taking music to the people, making music for people. For Rodger Fox, this was how to build the foundations of a lasting national jazz orchestra, by reaching the suburbs, by taking the music on tour across the land. 

With that in mind, we are committed to carrying on the work of the Young Jazz Band-It, in partnership with Youthtown. Intermediate and high school big bands in competition, with entries provided by video, and selected finalists gathering in Wellington. More than 50 applications have been received for 2024!

We are also committed to the NZ Blues, Roots and Groove Festival – to be held in the first week of September in Palmerston North. This was Rodger’s hometown for the last years of his life, and this festival dreamt up with Gerry Keating (manager of the Globe Theatre) over a glass or two of red, was a chance for Rodger’s love of all music – not just jazz – to shine.

In its third year, NZ Blues, Roots and Groove was halfway into booking and planning at the time Rodger left us. Going forward was the happy choice, and the reward is there in the music. We have 18 acts confirmed for this year, support from partners the Globe Theatre and funding secured.

Both prior years were financially challenging, so the formula has been changed to feature more acts and bring more audience through. We have also forgone international artists – with the idea of bringing them back in the future, perhaps as early as next year. We were able to secure the great Che Fu and King Kapisi for our headliners – trading unashamedly on the relationship King Kapisi built with Rodger, during the ‘Brotherman’ album tour.

The big band that Rodger stood in front of for over 50 years continues, with Christopher Fox – Rodger’s brother and long-time band member, at the helm. It is the best tribute to Rodger of all, and there is much more to come…