Music that feels at once deeply personal and effortlessly collective.
—Radio Summerhall Arts
Ben Wilcock and John Rae, long-time collaborators and co-founders of Thick Records NZ, bring their shared vision to life on this recording, captured at Auckland’s legendary Roundhead Studios. They are joined by close musical companions Patrick Bleakley and Roger Manins, both internationally regarded voices in jazz, along with emerging guitarist Theo Thompson, whose fresh sound expands the ensemble’s tonal palette. The result is a suite of original compositions that not only reflect the composers’ ideas but also serve as an open canvas for the quintet’s distinctive improvisational voices.
Years of shared performance have shaped an organic, conversational interplay, music that feels at once deeply personal and effortlessly collective. The release coincides with the formation of the Aotearoa (NZ) Jazz Orchestra, of which Rae is the Musical Director, and Wilcock the pianist. The finale of the inaugural concert at the recent Wellington International Jazz Festival was a big band arrangement of Rae's The Fox, dedicated to the late big band leader and trombonist Rodger Fox, also features on this album as a solo piano piece played by Wilcock, and later played by the full quintet. For this recording, the group added New Zealand's leading voice on the tenor saxophone, Roger Manins. Manins, having previously recorded with Mike Nock and Australia's National Jazz Orchestra, is a recipient of the JJA Jazz Hero Award for his impact on the jazz scene in Australasia. His solos on this collection of original material demonstrate his versatility, while maintaining his unique voice throughout.
The trio of Wilcock, Rae and Bleakley are joined by emerging guitarist Theo Thompson for some of the tracks, adding texture and freshness to the ensemble. The album begins with solo piano, followed by the title track, a vivid and largely improvised tone poem, and proceeds to build in texture and intensity, culminating with high energy contemporary jazz featuring all members of the quintet. This is the follow up of the 2024 album Splendid Isolation, and is available on all platforms and at Thick Records NZ. For interviews and access to audio for airplay, contact Thick Records NZ.
Years of shared performance have shaped an organic, conversational interplay, music that feels at once deeply personal and effortlessly collective. The release coincides with the formation of the Aotearoa (NZ) Jazz Orchestra, of which Rae is the Musical Director, and Wilcock the pianist. The finale of the inaugural concert at the recent Wellington International Jazz Festival was a big band arrangement of Rae's The Fox, dedicated to the late big band leader and trombonist Rodger Fox, also features on this album as a solo piano piece played by Wilcock, and later played by the full quintet. For this recording, the group added New Zealand's leading voice on the tenor saxophone, Roger Manins. Manins, having previously recorded with Mike Nock and Australia's National Jazz Orchestra, is a recipient of the JJA Jazz Hero Award for his impact on the jazz scene in Australasia. His solos on this collection of original material demonstrate his versatility, while maintaining his unique voice throughout.
The trio of Wilcock, Rae and Bleakley are joined by emerging guitarist Theo Thompson for some of the tracks, adding texture and freshness to the ensemble. The album begins with solo piano, followed by the title track, a vivid and largely improvised tone poem, and proceeds to build in texture and intensity, culminating with high energy contemporary jazz featuring all members of the quintet. This is the follow up of the 2024 album Splendid Isolation, and is available on all platforms and at Thick Records NZ. For interviews and access to audio for airplay, contact Thick Records NZ.
