Julia Deans shakes off Fur Patrol for jazz

12 March 2007

Julia Deans shakes off Fur Patrol for jazz

She is best known as rock band Fur Patrol’s lead singer, but jazz standards and her own compositions are what Julia Deans will be singing when she takes to the stage in Christchurch next month.

Deans, now based in Melbourne, is performing a one-off concert in her hometown as part of the New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival which starts in Christchurch on April 13.

It is not going to be like the usual gigs she performs, but that is exactly why Julia Deans is so excited.

“I like a challenge. I like doing things that are different,” she says. “I also feel honoured to be sharing the stage with such talented musicians.” Her band’s line-up for the evening includes Sam Trevethick (Shapeshifter) and Nick Gaffaney (Goldenhorse), among others.

Julia is not a complete stranger to jazz - she studied it in Wellington after leaving school and quickly fell under its spell.

“I really had no idea about jazz, no appreciation for it when I started the course,” she admits. “Studying jazz really opened my eyes and ears to a whole new musical world.’’

Julia hopes her concert on 21 April will entice others who are unfamiliar with the genre to try something new.

“I think the concert will appeal to people who have had a long love affair with jazz, and to those who have never given it much time it before.”
The New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival runs for nine days and features a fantastic line up of international performers as well as some of New Zealand’s best musicians.
Kiwi icon Dave Dobbyn also makes an entry onto the jazz scene, playing for the first time with Tom Rainey and Trio.

The cabaret series will feature an assortment of international performers include Bob Malone (USA), Jan Preston (Australia), Michelle Nicolle Quartet (Australia), Roy Phillips (UK/NZ), Whirimako Black (NZ), Mary Coughlan (Ireland), Pacific Underground (NZ), and Paul Ubana Jones (UK/NZ).

The Lichfield Lanes will come alive with the sounds of jazz and blues and the boogie woogie during a weekend of free outdoor jazz .

“We’ve worked really hard to put together a festival that has an eclectic programme which will appeal to jazz and blues fans alike,” says festival organizer Marianne Hargreaves.

About the Festival

The Christchurch International Jazz Festival, now named The New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival, began in 1998 as a biennial event and is now presented annually.

The largest jazz festival in New Zealand, the event comprises more than 100 national and international jazz artists performing at a variety of venues in the Christchurch region.

The Festival is core funded by the Christchurch City Council and receives donations from a range of other in-kind, contra and financial supporters.

A full Festival programme can be found online at www.jazzfestivalnz.com.

ENDS

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