We are sorry to announce that this event has been cancelled due to the state of emergency wind warnings.
Stay safe and Let’s see you all again in 2026
Young jazz groups star in Christchurch’s annual Junior Jazz Jam adjudicated by Scott Taitoko from Õtautahi’s Ara tertiary jazz programme.
This is a unique event especially for primary school age jazz bands which has been running annually since 2014!
The schedule for 2025 is as follows:
1 .00 pm – Westburn School Jazz Band
1.20 pm – Medbury School Jazz Band
1.40 pm – Selwyn House Jazz Band
2.00 pm – CSKI Christchurch South Karamata Jazz Band
2.20 pm – Chisnallwood Jazz Band
2:40 pm – Jam and feedback
3.00 pm – Finish
Adjudicator Scott Taitoko
Scott Taitoko is a Senior Academic Staff Member at Ara Music Arts, where he teaches trombone, music theory, aural skills, jazz improvisation, jazz and contemporary ensembles, and Summer School. In addition to his work at Ara, Scott keeps busy as a professional musician playing trombone for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (Associate Principal), Salmonella Dub and Oval Office. He also freelances as a recording artist, musical theatre trombonist and sideman at events around the country. Born in Ōtautahi, Scott studied at the CPIT Jazz School. Before joining the Music Arts team at Ara, Scott worked as a music director and trombonist on cruise ships for four years.
