Aotearoa soul star Louis Baker will take his audience on a unique journey with him in his debut performance at the National Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival this month.

“You can expect an energetic live performance, audience participation, improvised solos, and a few laughs,” says Louis, who plays Baycourt’s Addison Theatre on Saturday, March 30 from 8pm.

With a powerhouse voice and a love for soul, hiphop and jazz music, Louis has a loyal worldwide following – with more than 30 million Spotify streams – plus he tours the European festival circuit, opens for international artists and sells out shows here in New Zealand.

“My music was recently described as slow-cooked indie-soul music for the people.

"I think that’s a fair description... I’m always learning and searching for new music and I mainly lean towards soul, jazz, funk, hip hop and Motown, but I’m an open canvas when it comes down to it.”

Festival organisers say Louis and his band of Cory Champion on drums, Johnny Lawrence on bass, James Illingworth on keys and backing vocalists Kirsten Te Rito and Lisa Tomlins will offer a stunner of a show.

“We want people to know The 61st National Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival offers a variety of music – from traditional jazz right through to its many subgenres.

"And with musicians like Louis – with his infectiously groovy neo-soul – we have gigs that will appeal to younger audiences as well more seasoned jazz listeners.

“So don’t hesitate to check out our programme at jazz.org.nz and get tickets to 2024 Baycourt Series – because soon you’ll miss out!”

Along with Louis Baker, this year’s five-act Baycourt line-up includes Australian jazz musician James Morrison, who will play with his quartet on Friday, March 29, at Baycourt’s Addison Theatre.

Also from offshore is New York-based jazz guitarist and composer Russ Spiegel, who plays Baycourt’s X Space on Saturday, March 30. Plus, there’s the ‘All Girl Big Band: Powerhouse of Sound’ at Baycourt’s Addison Theatre on Thursday, March 28; and Tauranga’s own ‘Aksha Dutta: The trio Sessions’ plays Baycourt’s X Space on Friday, March 29.

Get tickets to all Baycourt acts at: https://jazz.org.nz/

Also at Baycourt this month – as part of 61st National Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival – is The Wright Family Foundation 46th National Youth Jazz Competition.

This will see hundreds of youth from around Aotearoa take over Baycourt’s Addison Theatre and X Space from March 26-28 – so don’t miss the best emerging jazz players from NZ secondary schools!

This year’s festival offers a jam-packed programme of events from March 23 to April 1. For the full 2024 festival programme, see: https://jazz.org.nz/