Jazz drummer Greg Crayford is getting ready to lead celebrations of two decades of his jazz residency at Wellington bar The Realm.
Greg Crayford. Photo: Supplied / Greg Crayford
Greg Crayford's onto his fourth owner.
For twenty years, his Wednesday night jazz shows at the Hataitai bar The Realm have been the one constant. That, and the pub's address.
Owners have come and gone, but Crayford's jazz sessions keep rolling on.
It all started as a watering hole for Crayford after his day job as music teacher at nearby Rongotai College.
Matt, the then owner of The Realm, had noticed the jazz drummer was regular customer. He also had heard Crayford play elsewhere, and suggested Crayford could start a jazz session at the bar and restaurant.
Crayford's first gig featured him on drums with Norman Meehan on keys: that's a pretty impressive start.
Jazz at The Realm - the early days. From left: Greg Crayford, Norman Meehan, Paul Henderson. Photo: Supplied / Greg Crayford
Since then, pretty much everyone who is anyone in the Wellington jazz scene has been part of Crayford's Realm residency (including RNZ Concert's very own bass player Nick Tipping).
The initial idea was to provide background music for diners in the bar's restaurant, but somewhere along the time, the jazz took over.
While established names have always played a part, Crayford has also used The Realm to help give young jazz musicians a chance to perform, including his own students from Rongotai College.
Student jamming will form part of the twentieth birthday celebrations which begin at The Realm from 2pm this Saturday afternoon, 30 August.
Well, actually they begin just up the road at the home of Crayford's father and fellow Wellington jazz royal, Terry Crayford. (Jazz pianist Jonathan Crayford is Greg's brother.)
The plan is for musicians to gather outside Terry Crayford's home before making their way, New Orleans-style, to the pub itself.
Other performers include the Rongotai College Big Band, the Capital City Big Band, April's Fools, Blues Clues, and a final hour from 9pm to 10pm with the very danceable Funkadelic, with Lisa Tomlins (another long-time Realmer) on vocals.
When the Queen's representative came to The Realm. Greg Crayford with then Govenor-General Sir Anand Satyanand. Photo: Supplied / Greg Crayford
