New Zealand soul singer Louis Baker is set to perform for the first time at the National Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival this month. He promises an energetic show with audience participation, improvised solos, and a bit of humor. The performance will take place at Baycourt’s Addison Theatre on Saturday, March 30, starting at 8pm.
Baker, known for his powerful voice and passion for soul, hip-hop, and jazz music, has a dedicated global fanbase. He has over 30 million Spotify streams and regularly performs at European festivals, opens for international artists, and sells out shows in New Zealand. His music has been described as “slow-cooked indie-soul music for the people.”
The festival organizers are excited for Baker’s performance, which will feature Cory Champion on drums, Johnny Lawrence on bass, James Illingworth on keys, and backing vocalists Kirsten Te Rito and Lisa Tomlins. They believe that Baker’s “infectiously groovy neo-soul” will appeal to both younger audiences and seasoned jazz listeners.
The 61st National Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival offers a wide range of music, from traditional jazz to various subgenres. Other performers include Australian jazz musician James Morrison, New York-based jazz guitarist and composer Russ Spiegel, the ‘All Girl Big Band: Powerhouse of Sound’, and Tauranga’s own ‘Aksha Dutta: The trio Sessions’.
The festival will also host The Wright Family Foundation 46th National Youth Jazz Competition, featuring hundreds of young musicians from across New Zealand. The festival runs from March 23 to April 1. Tickets for all Baycourt acts can be purchased at https://jazz.org.nz/.
