A WELCOME MESSAGE FROM JOHN RAE
Musical Director, Kaiwhakahaere Puoro
Haere mai and welcome.
The Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra (AoJO) marks one of the most exciting and positive developments in Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural life in decades — a bold new chapter in our musical story. As the country’s official national jazz orchestra, AoJO exists to celebrate, elevate, and export the very best of our homegrown jazz talent.
A National Jazz Flagship AoJO is more than a performance ensemble. It’s a cultural institution, built on decades of dedication from New Zealand’s jazz community. It has taken many years, and the vision of many, to reach this point — with one figure standing central: Rodger Fox.
Rodger and I first spoke about the idea of a national jazz orchestra back in 2010. I’d recently moved to Aotearoa after performing with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and knew how transformative a national ensemble could be. Rodger met SNJO director Tommy Smith at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, and from there, the dream began to take shape. Now, that dream is reality.
The Sound of Aotearoa Jazz, AoJO performs a mix of classic and contemporary works from the global jazz tradition, while proudly spotlighting the work of New Zealand composers and soloists. We aim to take the sound of Aotearoa jazz to audiences everywhere.
A Platform for the Next Generation AoJO is also a launchpad. Jazz has one of the highest participation rates among New Zealand’s young musicians, and this orchestra is here to help turn that passion into a pathway — through performance, mentorship, and real-world experience. We’re committed to education, collaboration, and the long-term future of jazz in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Thank you for joining us. Stay connected — and we’ll see you at the next performance.
John Rae
Musical Director, Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra
ORCHESTRA LEADERS
John Rae: Musical Director
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, John Rae is an acclaimed jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader known for his impact on the jazz scenes of Scotland and New Zealand/Aotearoa. He began performing professionally as a teenager, making his recording debut at 16 on Tommy Smith’s album “Giant Strides”. Early in his career, Rae toured Europe under the direction of legendary composer Johnny Keating and performed on Soviet and American cruise liners before locating to New York in 1984. From 2000 to 2003 he was the drummer with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. In 2008, he moved to New Zealand/Aotearoa becoming a citizen in 2016 and, in 2010, became Victoria University's first-ever jazz Composer-in-Residence. Rae has earned a Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and contributed to two BBC Jazz Albums of the Year. His discography spans over 70 albums as a leader and sideman. He has recorded and performed with major jazz figures including Vijay Iyer, Ethan Iverson, Joe Lovano, and Mike Nock, securing his place as a key voice in global jazz.
Oscar Lavën is a saxophonist, bassoonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer based in Pōneke Wellington, Aotearoa. A versatile performer across genres and countries, he has played alongside artists such as Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, John Beasley's Grammy-winning MONKestra, James Carter, Dennis Chambers, Adrian Cox, Robben Ford, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, STROMA, Capital Reeds, and the Rodger Fox Big Band.
Lavën teaches at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music and serves as musical director for the Wellington Mingus Ensemble and the New Zealand Swing Quartet. His debut album, “Questions In Red” received world wide critical acclaim.
Oscar Lavën: Concert Master
Mike Taylor: Lead Trumpet
Mike Taylor is a distinguished trumpet player renowned for his global performances and extensive recording career. After spending nine transformative years in New York City, he earned his Master's in Music from the coveted Manhattan School of Music, benefiting from scholarships provided by the Manhattan School, AMP, Creative NZ, and Dame Malvina Major. Mike's remarkable contributions to music have led to recordings that have been nominated for a Latin-Jazz Grammy Award in the USA, achieved platinum status in New Zealand, and twice secured the prestigious Tui Award for "Best Jazz Album of the Year.” Currently, Mike serves as an artist teacher at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music while remaining an active and influential presence on the New Zealand/Aotearoa music scene. He has released two albums of his original compositions: "Quintiplicity" in 2005 and "Little Falls," which is set for release in 2025.
Kaito Walley: Lead Trombone
Kaito Walley is a jazz trombonist based in Wellington City, where he has established himself over the past decade. Currently serving as the artist teacher for Jazz Trombone at Te Koki—The New Zealand School of Music, Kaito is also a versatile performer. He frequently appears as the lead trombonist with jazz ensembles such as The Rodger Fox Big Band, the Royal New Zealand Air Force Jazz Orchestra, and the Wellington Mingus Ensemble. In addition to his leadership roles, he is an in-demand sideman across various local music projects. Beyond Wellington, Kaito performs with high-profile artists including L.A.B. and Bret McKenzie, showcasing his dynamic presence in both the jazz scene and the broader music industry.
PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS
Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra presents: The Nutcracker Suite.
Come and witness an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the birth of a new era in Aotearoa’s jazz history.
This historic concert marks the inaugural performance of the Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra, a long-awaited dream realized through the legacy and vision of the late, great Rodger Fox. Known for his tireless dedication to jazz in New Zealand, Fox envisioned a national orchestra that would elevate big band music to new heights. Under the leadership of internationally renowned composer and musician John Rae, this performance embodies Fox’s passion for jazz and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of Aotearoa’s musical talent.
The highlight of this evening’s program is Duke Ellington’s arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky—a groundbreaking fusion of classical and jazz that has been hailed as one of Ellington’s most inventive works. Collaborating with the brilliant Billy Strayhorn, Ellington reimagines the familiar themes of Tchaikovsky’s ballet with a
swinging, soulful big band sound. The result is a captivating blend of lush orchestration, rhythmic complexity, and melodic innovation.
A stellar line-up of Aotearoa’s finest jazz musicians will bring this iconic work to life, featuring a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talents, all uniting to celebrate New Zealand’s jazz scene.
From brass to rhythm section, each musician will lend their virtuosity to this ambitious interpretation, celebrating the unique sound of our nation's jazz community.
This performance is more than just a concert; it’s a moment of cultural significance for New Zealand, bringing together tradition, innovation, and the spirit of collaboration. The Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra’s first performance is a milestone in the national jazz landscape, honoring both Rodger Fox’s legacy and the dynamic, diverse voices that shape New Zealand’s musical identity today.
ABOUT US
-
Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra (AoJO) is a landmark cultural initiative, serving as New Zealand’s official national jazz orchestra.
-
Its mission is to celebrate, elevate, and export New Zealand’s finest jazz talent to audiences worldwide.
-
Founded on decades of dedication, AoJO is more than an ensemble—it’s a cultural institution deeply rooted in the jazz community.
-
Rodger Fox played a central role in bringing the orchestra to life, with origins tracing back to discussions in 2010.
-
AoJO’s repertoire blends classic and contemporary jazz, spotlighting New Zealand composers and soloists.
-
Supporting the next generation, AoJO provides mentorship, performance opportunities, and pathways for young jazz musicians.
-
Commitment to education and collaboration ensures the long-term future of jazz in Aotearoa New Zealand.
NZ Jazz Orchestra Trust is a Charitable Trust under the direction of 10 trustees from musical, legal and accounting backgrounds
Any donations are deductible under Aotearoa tax law
