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'Breathtaking' performance leads to competition hat-trick for Avondale College Quintet!

Updated: Aug 25, 2021

Having just received their third 'Best Combo' award at a national jazz competition, the Avondale College musicians Toby Barrett, Lucas Kewell, Delores Lesatele and Tyler Diprose have rightfully secured their reputation as the best school jazz combo in New Zealand!

The latest award came from the Auckland Jazz Competition, which was held at the Point Chevalier RSA over the three weekends in August, attracting 43 jazz bands from all over Auckland and further afield.

With the addition of drummer Finn Hughes, the quartet became a quintet for this performance, and together the group not only won the Best Combo award, but also two of the competition's four 'Most Outstanding Soloist' awards (Toby on Saxophone and Finn on Drums), along with a coveted Platinum Award after being given a near-perfect score of 99.5% by the judges!

Judge John Callesen said overall it was an exceptional performance by the group. "Attention to all things musical was impeccable. Arrangements were creative, level of musicianship, improvisation and vocal artistry was stunning!"

"You guys took my breath away!"


Watch the Avondale College Quintet play in the final of the Auckland Jazz Competition 2021



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