2024 DJC Season Launch - Mike Gaches Quintet featuring Isaac Randel

2024 DJC Season Launch - Mike Gaches Quintet featuring Isaac Randel

Experience and youth collide with trumpeter Mike Gaches and tenor saxophonist Isaac Randel sharing the front of stage for the opening “Pop-Up” gig of the year at the Dish Cafe and Bar. Teaming up with experienced rhythm players Bill Martin (piano), Daniel Potter (double bass) and Carl Woodward (drums), this finely tuned quintet will deliver a selection of jazz standards taken from the classic Blue Note albums of the 50s and 60s.

Mike Gaches has been steadily building a reputation as a fine technician and original solo voice on the Dunedin jazz scene, mixing his scorching high notes on the trumpet with tasteful muted solos and mellow tones on the flugelhorn. Gaches did it all last year - he convincingly played the part of Miles Davis in the Wayne Shorter tribute concert and played many solos in the Duke Ellington tribute show “Black, Brown and Beige”. Gaches is a recent arrival to Dunedin, learning his craft in LA and playing in R n’ B bands for many years in Phoenix Arizona.

Isaac Randel is no stranger to local audiences, with two sell out shows at the Dish last year, and a narrow window to perform in Dunedin before he heads back to Wellington to continue his studies in jazz improvisation at the New Zealand School of Music. Randel’s sound is heavily influenced by John Coltrane and he does not shy away from blowing those “overtones” that characterised the later period of that grand master. Acute listeners will hear the influences of other players such as Hank Mobley and Ben Webster, as Randel begins to explore the sonic possibilities of his instrument.

Daniel Potter has impressed in recent times with fine performances on the double bass with the Djangocalypse Trio and the Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra. Potter is an experienced player on the musical theatre scene in this city and has certainly paid his dues with our local Big Band. Adding his authentic double bass sound will transport listeners back to the fifties when performing classic tunes such as “Nica’s Dream”, “Recorda Me” and “Maiden Voyage”. Pianist Bill Martin and drummer Carl Woodward need no introduction to Dunedin audiences - they performed in all of the major concerts last year and provide the backbone of this new and exciting ensemble at the DJC.

Personnel:

Mike Gaches (trumpet)

Isaac Randel (tenor saxophone)

Bill Martin (piano)

Daniel Potter (double bass)

Carl Woodward (drums)

Friday 9 Feb

Mike Gaches Quintet featuring Isaac Randel

The Dish Cafe and Bar, 8 Stafford Street, Central Dunedin

Timings: 6pm doors open, 7pm Set One, 8pm Set Two, 9pm finish.

Tickets $23 (adult) / $17.25 (unwaged / student) including GST.

$25 / $20 on the door.