International Jazz Day: Verity Burgess & Ben Fernandez Trio

In celebration of the 10th annual International Jazz Day on Friday 30 April, Verity Burgess and the Ben Fernandez trio present, ‘You, the Night and the Music’ at The Wallace Arts Centre, Pah Homestead. Running from 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm, the evening will feature jazz singer and West End performer Verity Burgess on vocals, jazz pianist and composer Ben Fernandez on piano, Russell McNaughton on upright and electric bass and Dean Rodrigues on drums and percussion. The band will play a selection of tunes across jazz, Latin favourites and pop classics in their own unique style.

Performers:
Verity Esmae Burgess
Verity has just returned back to Auckland after spending the past ten years in the UK. Verity began her professional career as a jazz musician. After studying at the New Zealand School of Music, she completed her Bachelor of Music Degree. Verity's love of both music and dance led her to gain a Masters from the prestigious UK based drama school, Guildford School of Acting. She has performed at shows and concerts in over 15 countries, with credits in West Side Story, Evita, Cats and Children of Eden.

Ben Fernandez
Ben Fernandez is a classically trained jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He has a Masters Degree in Music majoring in Jazz Performance from the University of Auckland. He also has degrees in Physics, Computer Science and Business Management. Ben has performed in over 25 countries and is an award-winning composer for jingles, TV shows and movies. He is currently composing music for a new rock musical due to be staged early next year. He has released eight albums, with his latest titled The Music Never Stopped, with tunes composed during the 2020 lockdown in Auckland. Ben also conducts regular workshops on improvisation in New Zealand and overseas and teaches music in multiple schools across Auckland.

Russell McNaughton
Russell studied Jazz Performance at the New Zealand School of Music. He also studied Engineering at Massey University. Russell is known as a versatile and much sought-after bassist on the Auckland music circuit. He plays a wide variety of styles and is equally at ease on both electric and upright bass guitar.

Dean Rodrigues
Dean a multi-instrumentalist, with a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance from the New Zealand School of Music. He keeps busy playing with multiple bands and groups in Auckland including Batucada Sound Machine, Boom Boom Deluxe, Superhero Second Line. Dean enjoys playing a variety of music ranging from jazz to reggae to rockabilly and everything in between. In his spare time he enjoys hanging out with his French Bulldog Buster and Bearded Dragon Sarabi.