This concert is built around the music of one of Aotearoa’s great jazz composers, Terry Crayford, as performed by members of his whānau and those very close to him. Terry is a New Zealand jazz legend. As both pianist and bass player, he has toured and recorded with high profile New Zealand and overseas jazz stars. He is one of the country’s most frequently heard composers, being responsible for televisions “Fair Go’ theme. Many of his compositions are named after his children and grandchildren. 

 The Crayford Trio is an ensemble of stalwarts of the NZ jazz scene, featuring Miles Crayford on piano, Patrick Bleakley on bass, and Greg Crayford leading the group from the drum kit. The trio has performed at venues far and wide, including successful stints at The Wellington Jazz Festival, the Manawatu Jazz Festival and the Wellington Jazz Club. 

 They play well-known jazz standards, and the catchy, original music of Terry; father to Greg and grandfather to Miles. Patrick and Terry first played together decades ago so it really is a family affair! 

For this gig they will be joined by James Tait-Jamieson – very well known to jazz club audiences – and Terry’s granddaughter, Georgia-Grace Crayford, performing as GiGi Crayford. 

The repertoire will include originals by other family members in today’s programme. 

Band Members 

Miles Crayford – piano, organ 

Miles is a third generation pianist from the Crayford family. He draws on both Jazz and Latin-Jazz influences and has spent some time in South America performing. Miles now resides in Kapiti Coast and is focused on playing the Hammond organ as well as the piano. 

Patrick Bleakley – double bass 

Patrick is one of the busiest and most-loved musicians in the New Zealand music scene. He began his bass playing career with legendary Kiwi group Blerta and has since performed with a who’s who of New Zealand jazz including Jonathan Crayford, Alda Rezende, The Troubles, Ben Wilcock and many more. 

James Tait-Jamieson – saxophone, vocals 

Trained in Wellington and Las Vegas James is a Jazz saxophonist and sometimes singer based in Manawatū. He is a full-time music teacher at Freyberg High School, Palmerston North. James performed with Terry for a number of years in the very popular ‘Hot Club Sandwich’. 

Georgia-Grace Crayford – vocals, guitar 

GiGi is mokopuna in the "Crayford Jazz Dynasty". A multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, carver and practitioner of Taonga Puoro (traditional Māori instruments). She weaves story, song and poetry into spellbinding performance in Te Reo Māori and English. GiGi has recently released her first EP of original music ‘Ka Mua Ka Muri’. 

Greg Crayford – drums, MC 

Greg has been performing for more than thirty years as a jazz/show/rock musician in NZ and as support for international acts. Greg’s involvement in musical theatre as musical director/drummer/keyboardist/guitarist/percussionist has included Jesus Christ Superstar