Sophie Allen Nairn

Sophie Allen Nairn has been the vocalist with the Hamilton Big Band since 2008, and has sung with the band at a variety of clubs, festivals and events.

Her musical highlights to date also include, singing with the Hillcrest High School Scat Choir at the World Rainforest Music Festival in Kuching, Malaysia, 2011.

Sophie enjoys jazz, theatre and also plays keyboard and piano.

In her final year as a student at Hillcrest High School, Sophie, plans to begin a conjoint law and arts degree at Waikato University in 2013. 

When not studying, or playing with the Hamilton Big Band, Sophie also; is Hillcrest High Schools' Arts Captain (2012), sings in the Scat Choir; learns classical ballet, musical theatre, singing, keyboard, piano and enjoys performing in a variety of shows and concert.  A very busy and talented young lady indeed!

Sharon King

Sharon has always had a love of music especially jazz.  She started her musical journey a bit later in life, after her dad bought her an alto sax for her 21st birthday. At that time she was based in the UK, and had lessons at the Trinity college of London with Aubury Frank, as well as private tuition with Claire Williams.  Sharon continued music lessons with Murray Johnson and Ruth Armstrong here in New Zealand, and is very grateful for all who have taught her.  Her only regret is that she didn't take it up sooner!

Sharon is a trained hairdresser, but has always felt this wasn't her true vocation. When she realised she could no longer continue in this field, she pursued her passion in the arts and studied art and advanced craft design at the Waikato Institute of Technology, majoring in textiles.

Since then Sharon has produced paintings and fibre art pieces. Her work can be viewed online at www.artinshazzking.co.nz.  Sharon also works part time for Healthcare New Zealand as a support worker.

Musical highlights include playing clarinet in Waikato Symphonic Band (5 years) and Art Gecko (2 years).  Sharon joined the Hamilton Community of Music in 2011 to resume her alto sax playing, which, by then, she hadn't played in over ten years.  After enjoying being a member of the Hamilton Big Band for many years Sharon is currently pursuing her other artistic talents but stays in touch with us.

John-Paul Geyer (JP)

JP was the drummer for the Hamilton Big Band (HBB) from 2010 to about 2015.

Although he started playing drums at the age of 12, he states he's 'still learning.'  When not providing a much needed rhythm section for the HBB, he plays as a Side Drummer in the Cape Town Highlanders Pipe Band.

JPs also plays guitar and his favourite musical genre is Progressive Rock. His musical 'career' highlights to date include SADF Entertainment Unit, performing in a Rock Tribute Show as well as writing & recording his own song.

JP left HBB for a new life in the big city but is still involved in music and plays in a ZZ Top tribute band among other things.

Avi Holzapfel

Avi played Alto Saxophone with the Hamilton Big Band from 2007 to about 2017.

Stepping up from 2nd sax to one of the 1st saxophone slots, Avi states the highlight of his musical journey has been "Graduating from being super-nervous and paralyzed with stage fright to having fun playing, creating music together with the others in the band and seeing people enjoying it – priceless!"

Avi immigrated from Germany with his partner and 2 kids in 1994, and since then has lived mostly in Hamilton.  He learned to play saxophone rather late in life.  His children joined the Hamilton Community Centre of Music and it was at this stage that Avi became a keen musician himself.

Nowadays, Avi enjoys anything with a good tune, and in particular music that inspires people to get up and dance.

A trained botanist with a Phd at the University of Berlin and Waikato University, Avi works for the Department of Conservation in the capacity of Technical Advisor for threatened species management, now based in the Coromandel.

Stefan Mayer

Stefan has been part of the Hamilton Big Band line up since 2009 and plays 2nd Trumpet.

At the tender age of 5, his father a professional musician, taught him the piano. From there he progressed to the trumpet at the age of 10 and spent his early years playing in a church brass quintet in Vilshofen, Bavaria.

Since then he has played in the following bands;

• Musik Verein Harmonie Niederschopfheim (a middle to high level non- professional brass band) - 12 years / 1st Trumpet
• Transport Battalion Achern (a Military Band) - 2 years
• Musikgemeinschaft Bechen (a high level non-professional brass band) - 6 years

Whilst he loves all music where a trumpet is involved, from classical music to modern Big Band style, Stefan's favourite genre is Canadian and German Brass.

 Stefan is an Independent SAP BI Consultant and when he's not working or at band, he enjoys time with his family and four children, worship team at the River City Bible Church, tramping and swimming.

Private Function

Coming Event: 

Private Function

5 October 2012

The Hamilton Big Band is pleased to accept an invitation to play at a wedding in Tauranga.  

If you would like to book the Hamilton Big Band for a special occasion, please get in touch

Cats Corner Swing Dance Club

Coming Event: 

Cats Corner Swing Dance Club
10 November 2012

The dance will be military/1940s themed. Swing dancers will be attending from Hamilton and Auckland, but this event is also open to other dancers. There will be a supper and cabaret entertainment. The over all theme will be entertaining the troops!

7pm till 11.30pm

For further information about the Cats Corner Swing Dance Club contact Michelle michswingal@yahoo.co.nz or visit their facebook page here

 

Atomic Hop

On the 18th August, the Hamilton Big Band played at the Atomic Hop, in the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion.

The Atomic market is a retro market by day, which continues into a dance later in the evening, complete with competitions and swing dance lessons.

For further information about the Cats Corner Swing Dance Club contact Michelle michswingal@yahoo.co.nz or visit their facebook page here.

Colin Ogle

Colin Ogle plays the Tenor Saxophone and is also the President of the Hamilton Big Band.

Aptly nicknamed "Dr O" Colin has a PhD and by day works in the biotech sector.

He became involved with the HBB in 2006 and enjoys anything with a good melody or great sax solo.

As well as the Hamilton Big Band, Colin has also played with Wild Reed Combo, Art Gecko, White Goat Band and the 3am Blues Band.

Colin's 'career' highlights thus far have been playing alongside Warren Maxwell (Fat Freddy's Drop, Little Bushman) and Andrew Hall (DDub, Spiral, Superhero Second Line) and recording an album with Art Gecko.

Current Members

We are currently adding profiles for our band members.

Hover over a name listed below and if a player profile has been added, you'll be able to click on their name to view more information.

Vocals: Tara | Sophie	Piano: Katie
Alto Saxophones: Ruth | Libby | Edwin | Avi |  Sharon
Tenor Saxophones: Colin | Jeremy	Baritone Saxophone: Lindsay
Trumpets: Anton | Stefan | Robbie | Jo | Ricky | Sarah
Trombones: Alan | Jeremy | Danny | Jody
Bass: Dave	Guitar: Mike
Drums: Matt | JP

New Member Enquiries
The Hamilton Big Band always welcomes new members.

Although we can't always guarantee an immediate spot in the performing lineup, spaces open up regularly.

However, we generally have room for extra players to join us at our weekly rehearsals.If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Hamilton Big Band and would like to come to our next rehearsal please contact Colin for more details

Welcome

Welcome to the Hamilton Big Band website. 

The band is a not for profit organisation and is available for all kinds of private or public functions for entertainment or dancing.

View our coming events page for details of where we are playing next.

The Hamilton Big Band plays a variety of music including Swing, Latin, Waltz, Rock ‘n Roll, Funk, Contemporary Pop and Rock styles as well as Big Band standard pieces from the likes of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington to name just a few.

Read about current and past band members on the about us pages. 

Over time we hope to compile a ‘hall of fame’ and a ‘picture gallery’; so if you were a past member of the band, or have stories and photos to share, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please contact us