“I would like to catch the music in the poetry: surprising, hard to grasp, sometimes leaping like a fish! Glistening, beautiful, and at home in the world.” – Jake Baxendale 

New Zealand Music award-winning saxophonist and composer Jake Baxendale returns to the Wellington Jazz Festival with fresh new music. After previously headlining in 2017 with The Jac, Baxendale is adding songwriter to his growing list of accomplishments as he presents his latest work Waypeople at Meow.  

Inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin’s powerful and poetic translation of Tao Te Ching – renowned as the greatest of the Chinese classics, Waypeople is Baxendale’s first foray into composing music with lyrics.  Juxtaposing the sounds of The Great American Songbook with ancient Chinese wisdom, Baxendale’s groundbreaking composition aims to capture the spirit and intent of Tao Te Ching, bringing it to life with a talented musical ensemble anchored by the guzheng (Chinese string instrument). 

Grab your tickets now and be amongst the first to hear this world premiere composition by one of Aotearoa’s most exciting jazz artists. 

Thanks to Creative New Zealand and Todd Corporation.