We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy.

55 Local album releases!
It gladdens my heart to see local albums emerging at the rate they are right now. The Deeds launched their debut CD a month or so back and next week it's time for John Michaelz to send his new platter out into the world.

We reviewed it a couple of weeks back, it's called So Far, So Good… , and it includes songs of John's stretching back to the fabled days of Hard To Handle in the late eighties through to new tracks recorded with his current outfit The Usual.

The launch takes place on Friday July 6 at Number 1 The Strand and probably costs a few bucks on the door to get in. It'll be worth it. Not only is John in tip-top voice these days but The Usual are a fine and exciting band, containing the talents of highly respected Tauranga guitarist Mike Kirk (also seen on and off with Kokomo and many others), bass player Dave Porter, and ex-TwinSet drummer Paul Hoskin, an immaculate player who seems able to do just about anything behind that kit.

56 They're playing our music, there!
International awards made to Kiwis are normally trumpeted from the rooftops… unless you're a jazz musician. Auckland sax player Roger Manins, often seen here at jazz festivals in the company of Carolina Moon, made a piece of New Zealand history last week by being the first New Zealander to receive a Jazz Hero Award from the International Jazz Journalists Association. To accept the honour Roger was hooked up by satellite to the Blue Note in New York, where the ceremony took place.

Out of these 11 prestigious awards, nine went to top American jazz musicians, one to a Canadian, and one went to Roger in recognition of his outstanding ability, passion, services to education, and his formidable Kiwi sense of humour. (His 'Smooth Jazz” YouTube videos have generated a cult following around the world).

When asked what he thought of the fact that the Kiwi media has largely ignored his remarkable achievements, Roger replied, 'Well I didn't kill anyone, and my cat didn't get stuck up a tree!”

57 Soundtree is back!
Season two of Tauranga's only internet TV show is now live online and adding new episodes weekly. The latest features the fabulous most groovy Brilleaux, purveyors of maximum R&B. Other shows from the new season so far posted online feature young band RPM, Henk and Rex, the Kougar Sistas, Amanda Sloane, and Gary Harrison.

Good news is the episodes from Season One have now been archived for easy viewing, and make an impressive overview of a small part of the Tauranga scene. It's only when you see so many acts in one place like this that you realise exactly how big the Bay's musical contingent is. Check them out at www.soundtreeproductions.com/live

58 The Elements are recording!
One of those bands that particularly blew everyone away during the first season of Soundtree Live was The Elements, a trio who seemed to have emerged fully formed out of nowhere playing a wild mixture of alt rock influenced by Talking Heads and other post-punk sounds. Their blend of top-class musicianship and intellectual playfulness, couple with a fine understanding of the line where careful arrangement meets improvisation made them many people's New Favourite Band overnight.

They've been out at The Boatshed Studio working on what will hopefully become their first album.

59 Hairy Maclary is coming to town!
Well, let's hope so. Hairy Maclary is cool. Dame Lynley Dodd created something wonderful and wonderfully successful that deserves to be celebrated. Five million copies sold worldwide and counting - what a stunning achievement for someone living in li'l ol' Tauranga. But, more than that, Hairy Maclary is cool.

A monument to these characters that brought and continue to bring such pleasure to so many will enrich the character of the city and be celebrated long after the whiners and the costs have been forgotten. Hats off to Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell of Creative Tauranga for spearheading this inspiring initiative, often in the face of much short-sighted cynicism. And thank you, Dame Lynley, for the stories.