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Perhaps it’s because I was there last week, but I’ve been thinking about The Jam Factory.
And perhaps it was because the sun was shining and there were smiling faces all over The Historic Village that I indulged in a little blessing-counting, specifically how lucky we are to have a venue such as The Jam Factory in Tauranga.
It’s not that such a venue existing should be a surprise; Tauranga is predicted to become New Zealand's fourth-largest city in a few years so you’d expect a few decent places for bands to play. It’s more the number of things that make The Jam Factory so perfect.
It has great acoustics, convenient parking, friendly staff, intimate size, close views, is affordable to hire and to attend – really everything you want from a 50-seater theatre.
But what most impresses about The Jam Factory is that, looking at the list of people performing, very few would play in Tauranga if it weren’t for the venue existing. Consider these acts in the near future...
Slow and rich
Next Tuesday, February 10, is the annual visit from jazz royalty: saxophonist Hayden Chisholm – from Taranaki but resident in Europe for more than 30 years – formed Unwind with Wellington bassist Paul Dyne and pianist Norman Meehan in 2012.
They play melodic, jazz-like music, slow and rich, not ambient exactly but leaning towards chamber music. It is a thing of beauty.
Hayden Chisholm. Photo / Supplied
But, aside from a Jazz Festival concert - they are not a bar band – how could they otherwise perform here? This isn't mainstream music; the audience in Tauranga is perfect for a 50-seater. Before The Jam Factory such bands would give Tauranga a miss.
Three days later (February 13) Toby Barrett Quartet brings more jazz and I could say pretty much the same thing. Toby is an emerging Kiwi saxophonist who's been doing great things on the New Zealand and Melbourne scenes.
Jazz nirvana
He comes with Melbourne-based pianist Will Ellerton and top-flight Auckland musicians Tyler Diprose, bass, and Finn McNeill, drums. Jazzheads can expect jazz nirvana but again it looks like a 50-seater concert. No Jam Factory, no concert.
It’s not just jazz. On February 19, West Auckland folk group Fables, essentially singer-songwriter Jess Bailey and band, play with support from local favourite Frances Ellen. Fables delicate indie sound is a delight and Ellen is always excellent but these are not yet famous people and an affordable 50-seat venue makes it possible.
Give it a crack
A final gig this month highlights how the venue has elevated local acts. Singer-songwriter John Michaelz returns on February 28 with a crack band after a sold-out July concert there. So many locals use the Jam Factory where they can present their music in a proper music venue, with the alternatives being either unsuitable or unaffordable. Tauranga audiences and bands are the richer for it.
Hayden Chisholm and Unwind. Photo / Supplied
Surprisingly, more than a few folk I spoke to at the village had never been to The Jam Factory. If you’re in that number I urge you to give it a crack.
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