Southern Jam fetes youth jazz performers

Two hundred and twenty musicians. Nineteen bands. Thirteen schools. Twenty venues. Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival 2026 outdid itself over four days last week, reaching a crescendo with the Finale Gala Concert at Whitehaven Theatre on Saturday night.

Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the event from Marlborough District Council drew performers from up and down the South Island. In her speech opening the finale, Katrina Lange of Pure Events Marlborough said Southern Jam is “all about celebrating the students, their achievements, their growth, their incredible talents”.

Venues around Marlborough – such as The Vines Village, Oak & Ivy, Fairweathers and Oxley’s Bar & Kitchen in Picton – provided the players with a variety of settings and audiences. Saturday’s concert in the theatre showcased all the bands which contended.

Bands, combos and ensembles could achieve gold, silver and bronze tiers as well as titles for groups and individual performers. Professional judges looked for technique and precision, improvisation, ensemble interaction, style and interpretation, and overall performance.

Honour roll
Red Clay from Rangiora High School received the festival’s overall top prize as well as best combo. Middleton Grange Jazz Band won best big band; the Altiora Funk Blasters from Christchurch Boys’ College earned best ensemble.

Funkasaurus Rex, the ensemble runner-up from Marlborough Boys’ College, provided an especially engaging performance, encouraging the audience to sing along to the catchy popular song “Uptown Funk”. MBC was one of several bands which featured a vocalist adding to the distinct and bouncy rhythm of jazz.

Top-achieving students finished the evening on a high note by assembling as the Southern Jam All-Star Band. Judges selected the players – including MBC trumpeter Ariel Rofe – to perform two specially composed jazz pieces alongside all the school singers and the judges.

“Organising this event is no small feat,” Katrina stated, “but seeing these talented students perform, whether in primary schools, public venues or during their competitions and masterclasses, makes every effort worthwhile.”