Friendship the key to jazz victory
- Avcol
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
In last week's Heartbeat we mentioned the superb performances of our music groups at the Auckland Secondary Schools Jazz Competition at the Birkenhead RSA. The finals were held last weekend, with an Avondale College band named in the top four of both the Combo and the Big Band competition. When the results were announced, we were delighted to see Avondale's Five Spot combo awarded a silver, and our Blue Note combo, Birdland combo and Big Band all received gold awards.
However it was jazz quintet Swing 46, made up of close friends Alex Hutchinson-Jones (drums), Andrew Pedrezuela (guitar), Rose Elijas (vocals/saxophone), Felix Wong (bass), and Max McCulloch (keyboard), who took out the highest honour of "Most Outstanding Jazz Combo." They were also graded at "platinum" level, meaning they are performing at a University standard.
Swing 46 beat stiff competition from other finalists from Rangitoto College and two groups from St Kentigern's College at the Birkenhead RSA on Sunday to secure the top prize.
“There’s a specific feeling you get when they call your name - you gasp,” says Rose. “Going up and getting your award, it feels really good.”
The group has performed in a number of competitions since they were put together by Director of Jazz Mr Robinson in Year 10, including the National Youth Jazz Competition in Tauranga, where last year they were given a 'bronze' grading.
“That really fuelled our determination this time round,” says Felix. "We wanted to prove we could do better than bronze."
This year the group were awarded gold at Tauranga - and the award for 'Best Band Concept'. Max won 'Best Combo Keyboardist' and Rose 'Best Combo Vocalist'.
“This year was our comeback,” adds Andrew. “And it was certainly much more than that. I’m really proud of all of us.”
In the lead up to Auckland Jazz Competition (which is the largest secondary jazz competition in New Zealand, with 41 combos competing this year) the group rehearsed their set 3-4 times a week, at lunchtimes, after schools and on weekends.
Felix believes that since their Term 1 competition in Tauranga, the group has grown in musical ability, confidence, and connection, and that this was likely recognised by the judges.
After their performance of jazz charts "Canvas," "Midnight Sun" and "Jazz Crimes," keyboardist Max was also named one of the Top 3 Musicians of the event.
Judge Stephen Morton-Jones praised his complex soloing, intelligent note choices, and ability to go beyond the chord changes.
"They were talking about this person as 'a great soloist', saying 'they really understand jazz' and I didn't realise they were talking about me until they called my name," he says.
“This is because Max doesn't have a big ego," explains Rose. "He’s quiet, professional, and incredibly talented."
When asked who leads the group, the answer was unanimous: Rose. As the sole female member in a band, she embraces her unofficial leadership role with a gracious and sisterly approach: "Sometimes I have to bribe them with Coke to get them focused!” she shares. “They’re always improvising on their instruments—it’s hard to get them to stop!”
Alex says their friendship will keep them playing together long into the future, and they will stay together simply because "we're good!"
“We appreciate each other as people just as much as fellow musicians," says Andrew. "We share a love for this genre of music and there's so many more opportunities to explore every type of jazz."
Swing 46 will be next performing at the Whau Talent Quest on Wednesday at Kelston Boys High School. Come and support!
