Seoul Jazz

Overview

Wellington Jazz Festival is a huge event crammed into just a few days — this year's lineup features 100 gigs in just five days. It would be a challenge to see even a small percentage of all that's on offer, but the diverse program means there's something for all levels of jazz knowledge, from fairweather fans who just want some pleasant background music while they drink beer to hardcore followers who are amped to encounter some of the jazz world's biggest names.

Keep your evenings free from 7-11 June and head along to a show or two, with cocktails and kai on either side. Here's your guide of what to see, dance to, eat and stumble across.

In the wonderful Wellington spirit of collaboration and cross-pollination, Seoul Jazz is a supergroup consisting of members from South Korean group Black String and hometown heroes The Jac, and eight-piece Wellington group featuring members from New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, The Troubles and the Richter City Rebels. Black String's modern take on traditional Korean music is cinematic and moving, and this collaboration of two very different groups is sure to create unexpected and experimental results in what is probably the first Kiwi-Korean jazz group.