Breakthu performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Cedric Sutherland (piano) Jim Wilson (bass) Errol Christiansen (drums)

Riverside Jazz Band performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Graydon Crawford (soprano saxophone) Don Crawford (trombone) Noel Watts (leader/trumpet) Ray Woodley (banjo) Colin Hopley (bass)

Riverside Jazz Band performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Graydon Crawford (soprano saxophone) Don Crawford (trombone) Noel Watts (leader/trumpet) Colin Hopley (bass) Ray Woodley (banjo)

Members of the Society Jazz Company performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Jim Wilson (bass) Vern Clare (cornet) Errol Christiansen (drums) Bob McNeely (guitar)

Members of the Black and White Jazz Band from New Plymouth Boys’ High School performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Hayden Chisholm (alto saxophone) David Bermner (trombone) Mark Bremner (trumpet) Michael Clentworth (trumpet)

The Bill West Jazz Band performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Arthur Parker (banjo) Chris Anderson (clarinet) Jim Morell (drums) Bill West (cornet) Jim Wilson (bass). Not pictured: Graham Kelly (piano)

The Black and White Jazz Band from New Plymouth Boys’ High School performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Martin De Brock (piano) Simon Rae (bass) Hayden Chisholm (alto saxophone) Jared Hill (drums) David Bermner (trombone) Mark Bremner (trumpet) Michael Clentworth (trumpet)

Black and White Jazz Band from New Plymouth Boys’ High School performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Martin De Brock (piano) Simon Rae (bass) Hayden Chisholm (alto saxophone) David Bermner (trombone) Jared Hill (drums) Mark Bremner (trumpet) Michael Clentworth (trumpet)

Blue Bossa Jazz Ensemble performing at the 25th Annual Manawatū Jazz Festival. L-R: Gary Wilby (piano) Lance Philip (drums) Murray Biggs (soprano saxophone) Alistair McLeod (bass) Colin Chase (congas)

Manawatu Jazz Club presents.....Jazz 81. Palmerston North Opera House. Saturday May 30th 1.30pm, Sunday May 31st 1.30pm. Door sales only. Children under 15 half price. 8pm concert featuring Roger Fox Big Band of Wellington. Watch your local paper for further details." Part of a collection of posters that were displayed in the Public Library in the 1970s - 1980s.

Programme for 1st annual jazz festival presented by the Manawatū Musicians and Entertainers Club, held on Labour Weekend, 1968. The Manawatū Musicians and Entertainers Club, later became the Manawatū Jazz Club.

Programme for 13th annual jazz festival presented by the Manawatū Jazz Club over Queen's Birthday weekend, 1980.

Programme for 31st annual jazz festival presented by the Manawatū Jazz Club over Queen's Birthday weekend, 1998.

Programme for Manawatu Jazz Club's 21st Annual Festival in 1988

25th Manawatu Jazz Festival. Colin Eglinton, clarinet; Russ Toms, drums; Peter Hales, trumpet; Don Crawford, trombone.

Trevor Castle, Johhn McCormick and Graydon Crawford on saxophones

Terry Tawharu, Russ Toms, two others

Programme for the first Manawatu Jazz Festival held in the Opera House P.N. at Labour Weekend, 1988

Lunchtime talk and performance: "The Jazz musician... An endangered species" by David Edge. Performance by A53 Jazz Duo. David Edge - Bass Clarinet and Mike Dee - Guitar. Part of the 13th Local History Week 2020.

A programme from the 52nd Manawatu International Jazz and Blues Festival 2019. Performers included Gregg Bissonette, Louis Dowdeswell, Glenn Waters, Chris Cain, Daniel Castro, Steve Evans, Ron E Beck, Ben Wilcock, The All Girl Big Band, The Rodger Fox Big Band, Kevin Downing's 101 Lab Band, Swamp City Big Band, and the Manawatū Jazz Club Big Band. The booklet unfolds to become a poster.

25th Manawatu Jazz Festival. Graydon Crawford (in trenchcoat) on alto sax.

Graydon Crawford performing on alto saxophone with his band the Bop Cats at the Celtic Inn

A poster advertising a concert by The Melancholy Babes at Snails. This concert was part of a North Island tour supporting the release of the trio's fourth album on iiii Records, "Shingles." The Melancholy Babes is comprised of Jeff Henderson (reeds), Tom Callwood (bass) and Anthony Donaldson (drums).

The Melancholy Babes performing at Snails as part of the North Island tour supporting the release of the trio's album, "Shingles." Jeff Henderson (soprano saxophone), Anthony Donaldson (drums) and Tom Callwood (bass).

Unwind - (L-R) Norman Meehan (keyboard), Paul Dyne (bass), Julien Dyne (drums) and Hayden Chisholm (alto saxophone) - performing at Lucky Bar + Kitchen in Whanganui. This concert was part of the quartet's tour supporting of the release of "Saffron", their third album (and first with the addition of Julien Dyne).

In 1940s Palmerston North, dance bands were in demand to play Saturday night halls, clubs and special occasions. Mel Creighton’s band, named The Aces, is set to play at one such venue, perhaps the ANA Dance Hall (later the Astoria Ballroom) in George Street. The band played many such halls, such as the old Oddfellows Hall in Cuba Street, A&P Hall at the Showgrounds. They also were popular for country dances in smaller towns like Opiki, Rongotea and Rangiotu. The named members of the band were: Mel Creighton (piano), Jack Creighton (double bass, father of Mel), Jeff Everson (drums), Syd Wood on trumpet, Andy Keen on saxophone. Their signature card themed decorations appear with them in this photograph.

This booklet was produced by the Palmerston North Borough Council to commemorate the 1927 Jubilee. It details a week's worth of special events that took place all about Palmerston North, including an electric light show, a baby show, jazz night, fireworks display and lantern parade.

The programme from a concert by the Lucien Johnson Quartet held at the Whanganui Opera House. The concert, produced by Chamber Music Wanganui, featured Johnson's original compositions performed by the quartet of Jonathan Crayford (piano), Tom Callwood (bass), Cory Champion (drums) and Lucien Johnson (tenor and soprano saxophone). There was one alteration to the programme with "Spooning" following "Morning Song". The quartet performed the previous evening in Wellington and will tour New Zealand later in July.

The ticket sleeve and ticket stub from a concert by the Lucien Johnson Quartet held at the Whanganui Opera House.

Melissa Thake (vocals) performing with the jazz band Easy Street in the Celtic Inn