The PumpHouse: Jan Preston Trio – Piano Boogie Woman

Jan Preston has always been drawn to the Boogie Woogie style of piano playing, made popular by Black American’s in the 1930s. So it’s no surprise that her latest CD is called Piano Boogie Woman, with Jan singing and playing with energy and passion in the characteristic 8-to-the-bar boogie rhythm.
This is a landmark CD for Jan being her 12th solo album, recorded entirely on her own grand piano, with a protracted songwriting period due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

“I had much more listening and thinking time on this CD than any prior, and I’m very excited by the results,” says Jan. “I’m also delighted to be able to come from Sydney (via hotel quarantine) to play an extensive tour of the North Island.”

Hear Jan and her trio (drums and double bass) perform this new material for the first time in public. The boogie groove is said to have originated from the rhythm of the steam train, and Jan’s family home in Greymouth was nearby the train line. Perhaps it’s no coincidence she has an affinity with it, and plays and sings boogie-woogie with such style and energy!

For more information and to book, visit The PumpHouse website, here.

 
Encore Theatre Collective is proud to present a dazzling new production of Seussical The Musical, based on the immortal works of Dr Seuss. Seussical brings to life many infamous and well-loved Dr Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird and, of course, the Cat in the Hat. These characters and stories weave together in a whimsical and wacky musical extravaganza, played out against an uplifting score, and highlighting the show’s universal messages of love and acceptance – reminding us all that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Since launching in 2019, Encore Theatre Collective has made an incredible mark on the Auckland theatre scene and redefined the standard of youth theatre in New Zealand. Hot on the heels of their sold-out season of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the June season of Seussical features 120 of the country’s finest young talent, ranging in age from 9-23.

With spectacular choreography, unbelievable production design, and slick vocals, Encore Theatre Collective’s Seussical The Musical is the theatrical offering of 2021 that you will not want to miss!