Wellington Jazz Festival 2022

Overview

And a one, a two, a one two three four… Wellington's Jazz Festival is making its hotly anticipated return to the capital ready to delight musos and jazz novices alike.

This year's festival has a stacked lineup which includes music industry veterans, Grammy-award winners and local acts. Kicking things off at the Opera House of all places is Lalah Hathaway, a five-time Grammy winner and daughter of American soul singer and musician Donny Hathaway. She'll be paying homage to her famous dad with a one-off performance on Wednesday, October 19.

Adding to the Grammy-winner lineup is MonoNeon, a bass guitarist who has collaborated with the likes of Mac Miller, Ne-Yo and Yas, and was described as "the greatest fucking electric bass player" by none other than Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers. MonoNeon will be performing his latest album Basquiat & Skittles alongside his band on Saturday, October 22 – and tickets are already selling fast.

Our own soulful singer Louis Baker is also performing a one-off show on Friday, October, 21, with tracks from his internationally-lauded 2021 EP Love Levitates. Another performance of local flavour not to be missed is a homage to the poetry of the late Hone Tuwhare by The Rodger Fox Big Band on Saturday, October 22.

Further acts are yet to be announced, but there's no doubt this is going to be a festival bringing tunes and good vibes back to the capital. Whether you grew up playing the saxophone or haven't picked up an instrument since dropping out of recorder lessons in Form 1, there seems to be a little something for everyone, including many smaller and some free events. Check out the website for more updates.