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Rodger Fox
CNZM
Fox in 2012
Fox in 2012
Background information
Born(1953-01-07)7 January 1953[1]
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died27 May 2024(2024-05-27) (aged 71)
Palmerston North, New Zealand
GenresJazz
OccupationsMusician, band leader, educator
InstrumentTrombone
Years active1960s–2024
Formerly ofQuincy Conserve
Websiterodgerfoxbigband.com

Rodger Dennis Fox CNZM (7 January 1953 – 27 May 2024) was a New Zealand trombonist, jazz educator, recording artist and leader of the Rodger Fox Big Band. He founded his jazz band in 1973 and toured extensively in New Zealand and overseas, playing at international jazz festivals including Montreux and Monterey. He was a jazz educator and taught at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University of Wellington.

Early life

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Fox was born in Christchurch in 1953, the son of Louis and Betty Fox.[2] Both his parents were musicians. Betty taught piano and Louis played in and conducted brass bands, becoming head of music at Mana College in Wellington where his son was educated.[2] Fox initially played the trumpet, changing to the trombone when that instrument was needed in the Mana College band.[2][3] He played in the local brass band, the Wellington Youth Orchestra[4] and the National Youth Orchestra in 1969 and 1970.[5] He passed the Royal College of Music trombone and theory exam in 1970.[1] His brother played the trombone and his sisters the clarinet and saxophone.[6] On leaving school Fox worked for Chappells Music Publishing and in the Golden Horn Music shop.[6] His favourite jazz band was Woody Herman's and he acknowledged Herman as a huge influence on his playing.[2][6]

Career

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Early career

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Fox was intending to pursue a career in classical music; he was offered a place as an orchestral trainee with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra but brass players were not accepted onto the scheme that year as brass and woodwind players were not finding employment.[2][4] Instead he joined the band Quincy Conserve, which he credited as an invaluable training ground for running a band and touring.[2]

Rodger Fox Big Band

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In 1973 Fox and Alan Nelson formed an 18 piece band, the Golden Horn Big Band, named after the music shop where he worked.[2][7] At the time Fox found that older musicians were not affording younger players the opportunities to play which spurred him to start his own band.[2][3] The Rodger Fox Big Band succeeded the Golden Horn band.[7]

The Rodger Fox Big Band toured in New Zealand and overseas, playing at jazz festivals in Monterey, Montreux, Wichita and Manly.[2][8] In 1978 they toured Australia.[6] They appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1980 and 1981, the first New Zealand band to play at Montreux.[9] In 1980 they toured in the United States and recorded an album at the Vanguard Studio in New York. The following year they toured Poland and played at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London.[6] They played at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2001, 2006 and 2017.[10][11][12]

Fox maintained that New Zealand does not have its own local jazz style and that jazz is an American music.[3] In support of this view and to encourage the development of jazz playing and his initiatives in jazz education Fox brought many American jazz musicians to New Zealand to perform with his band: singer Diane Schuur, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, pianist Bill Cunliffe, trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, saxophonist Bruce Johnstone, saxophonist Michael Brecker, trumpeter Bobby Shew, guitarist Robben Ford, singer Lydia Pense, and singer Randy Crawford.[2][3] The band's 20th anniversary tour starred trombonist Bill Reichenbach, trumpeter Gary Grant, singer David Clayton-Thomas (vocalist of Blood, Sweat and Tears) and local musician Midge Marsden.[6] Organist Joey de Francesco and singer Brenda Boykin performed with the band for the 40th anniversary tour.[13] Fox toured New Zealand in 2023 to mark 50 years since the founding of the Big Band. The concert was called 'The Big Drum Off' and featured guest drummers Dennis Chambers, Gregg Bissonette and Peter Erskine.[14][15]

Collaborations with other musicians

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Painting on CD cover You Gotta Know, 2020

Noticing the paucity of New Zealand jazz arrangements Fox produced Reimagined! in 2022, an album of songs by New Zealand singer Dave Dobbyn. Music from the album would be used in another initiative to encourage school jazz bands to play New Zealand music.[16] Further promotion of New Zealand artists and poets resulted in a collaboration with hip-hop artist King Kapisi in 2023[17] and a concert of music inspired by the poems of Hone Tuwhare in 2022.[18]

Fox also collaborated with classical musicians. In 2016 he toured his band with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in a programme called Swing into Spring conducted by Hamish McKeich with trumpet and flugelhorn player Allen Vituzzi as soloist.[19][20] Fox and New Zealand classical pianist Michael Houstoun worked together to record a CD Concerti in 2017.[21] They collaborated again in 2021 at the Wellington Jazz Festival with Houstoun playing compositions and arrangements by Bill Cunliffe.[22] In 2020 tenor Simon O'Neill performed Wagner arias accompanied by the band at a concert in Palmerston North.[23]

Jazz education

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Fox's band provided work opportunities for jazz musicians and he regarded the band as a training ground for young players. He advocated for better funding of jazz performance and for a jazz orchestra. He maintained that while the country has a national orchestra, a ballet company and regional orchestras there is no national big band to provide opportunities and employment for younger players.[3] The band ran as a non-profit organisation with the earnings being used to promote educational opportunities, to bring musicians from overseas to work with the band, or to fund trips to jazz festivals or jazz education conferences.[24]

Fox performing at the Jazz Education Network Conference, New Orleans, 2020

In the early 1980s Fox, saxophonist Colin Hemmingsen and percussionist Bud Jones established the first jazz courses at the Wellington Polytechnic (later Massey University).[3] Fox became a senior lecturer at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington (initially a Massey University and Victoria University joint venture but later part of Victoria University).[4][12][25]

As well as his university teaching Fox tutored and mentored young jazz musicians in schools and at other jazz workshops.[26] In 2019 he organised a series of one day workshops and concerts around the country, delivered by the band and international musicians and educators. The aim was to give students exposure to world-class educators and performers and a greater understanding of jazz artistry.[27]

In 1997 he attended the Jazz Educators' conference in Chicago.[citation needed] In 1999 he attended the Jazz Educators' Conference in Anaheim[7] and in 2020 and 2024 the Jazz Education Network conference in New Orleans.[28][29][30] The band's attendance at the 2024 conference was made possible by raising funds from the community after a funding application to Creative New Zealand in 2023 was turned down.[31]

Death

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Fox died in Palmerston North on 27 May 2024, at the age of 71.[32][33] Tributes acknowledged his energy, generosity, enthusiasm, his 50-year commitment to jazz performance and jazz education and his talent for inspiring young people.[34][35][36][37]

Fox on 3 May 2022, after his investiture as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by the governor-general, Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House, Wellington

Awards and honours

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Fox won the Aotearoa Music Award (Tui) for New Zealand jazz recording of the year on four occasions: in 1983, 2001, 2004 and 2012.[38] In the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to music.[39] He was conferred with an honorary doctorate (DMus) by Massey University in 2005.[40]

In 2017 he was presented with a Scroll of Honour from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for his services to New Zealand entertainment.[41]

In the 2022 New Year Honours, Fox was promoted to Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to music.[42][43]

Selected discography

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Year Title Label Notes
2022 Reimagined! Digital and CD
2021 Michael Houstoun/Rodger Fox Big Band Live Digital
2021 The Rodger Fox Big Band Live at The Rogue & Vagabond Digital
2020 You gotta know T-Bone Recorded at Bunker Studio, New York
2020 Foxpop Vol. 1 Digital. Reimagining Kiwi classics
2019 Plays New Zealand Digital. NZ composers
2018 Hipwalk SkyDeck Digital
2017 Concerti Rattle With Michael Houstoun
2016 Funkbone experience SkyDeck With Dewayne Pate and David Matthews
2016 X: Plays New Zealand Rattle
2015 Have yourself a swinging' Merry Christmas Digital
2013 The Capitol sessions Capitol The Rodger Fox Wellington Jazz Orchestra
2011 Journey home The Rodger Fox Wellington Jazz Orchestra
2011 Rodger Fox Big Band & Midge Marsden Are Back In Town Digital
2007 No exit Manu Jazz
2004 A rare connection T-Bone With Bill Cunliffe and Jon Papenbrook
2004 Big blues T-Bone With Erna Ferry
2002 Warriors T-Bone With Bill Cunliffe
2000 Ain't that the truth T-Bone With Jon Papenbrook
2000 Devil may care T-Bone With Erna Ferry, Jon Papenbrook and Bill Cunliffe
2000 Let the good times roll T-Bone With Midge Marsden
2000 Randy Crawford & The Rodger Fox Big Band Live In Concert Digital
1998 Xtra juicy : the New Zealand collection T-Bone
1998 Back to being one T-Bone With Bill Cunliffe, Tom Warrington, Steve Houghton, Bruce Paulson and Bill Reichenbach
1993 Good news T-Bone
1989 The Rodger Fox Big Band : an all-star collection 1974 to 1989 Jayrem With Midge Marsden, David Feehan and Mary Yandall
1987 Mary Yandall and Rodger Fox Circular Records With Mary Yandall
1986 The Rodger Fox Big Band with Bill Reichenbach and Gary Grant Circular Records
1984 Something juicy Circular Records With Bill Reichenbach
1981 The Rodger Fox Big Band live : 15th Montreux Jazz Festival Circular Records
1981 Heavy company Circular Records With Bobby Shew
1981 The New York tapes Vanguard
1980 The Rodger Fox Big Band live : 14th Montreux Jazz Festival Switzerland Ode
1978 Time piece Ode
1977 It's a dream Ode Golden Horn Big Band

References

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  1. ^ a b Lambert, Max (1991). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1991 (12th ed.). Auckland: Octopus. pp. 210f. ISBN 9780790001302.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mitchell, Rob (25 May 2018). "National Portrait: Rodger Fox". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Meehan, Norman (2016). New Zealand jazz life. Victoria University Press. Wellington. pp. 32, 58, 100, 120–121, 177. ISBN 978-1-77656-092-9. OCLC 961019245.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ a b c Tuckett, Graeme (February 2015). "Rodger Fox". Fishhead. 45: 48–50.
  5. ^ Tonks, Joy (2011). The NZSO National Youth Orchestra: fifty years and beyond. Wellington: Victoria University Press. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-86473-609-3. OCLC 456176486.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Sharp, Iain (March 1994). "Rodger Fox". Pacific Way. 70: 35–37.
  7. ^ a b c "Play it louder Rodger". The Evening Post. 23 October 1999. p. 11.
  8. ^ "SOUNZ Rodger Fox". sounz.org.nz. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  9. ^ O'Neil, Andrea (11 March 2013). "Celebrating 40 years of jazz with Titahi Bay-raised Rodger Fox". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  10. ^ "NZ Live: The Rodger Fox Big Band". RNZ. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  11. ^ "The Rodger Fox Big Band – On Stage with the Best of the Best". www.scoop.co.nz. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Rodger Fox Profile". people.wgtn.ac.nz. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Forty years of jazz for Rodger Fox". Newshub. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  14. ^ Tobin, Chris (13 February 2023). "Rodger Fox bringing 'The Big Drum Off'". Stuff. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Trombonist Rodger Fox looks back on 50 years in jazz". Stuff. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  16. ^ Karaitiana, Karla (4 April 2022). "Dave Dobbyn receives the big band treatment as Rodger Fox mines Kiwi hits for jazz arrangements". Stuff. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Rodger Fox Big Band featuring King Kapisi with Erna Ferry to Headline at 2023 Wellington Jazz Festival". RNZ. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  18. ^ Holm, Sonya (28 September 2022). "Rodger Fox draws on Hone Tuwhare's poems to make music". Stuff. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  19. ^ Fox, Rebecca (15 September 2016). "Swing and strings". Otago Daily Times Online News. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  20. ^ Button, John (4 September 2016). "Concert Review: Swing into Spring, NZSO & The Rodger Fox Big Band". Stuff. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  21. ^ "The Classics: 20th February". Otago Daily Times Online News. 20 February 2017. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Michael Houstoun and Rodger Fox – at the jazz festival". Scoop. 25 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  23. ^ Hopwood, Malcolm (21 October 2020). "Great Wagnerian jazz sung and played by quality musicians". Stuff. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  24. ^ Bollinger, Nick (12 June 2004). "Rodger Fox". New Zealand Listener: 10.
  25. ^ "Big Band CD hits the shelves". www.massey.ac.nz. 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  26. ^ Gastmeier, Hayley (12 August 2017). "Jazzing it up with the Fox". Times Age. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  27. ^ Fox, Rodger (May 2019). "Jazz on the road and the jazz gala". Tune Me in. 14 (1): 22–24.
  28. ^ "Rodger Fox invited to world's largest educational event | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  29. ^ Fox, Christopher (5 February 2024). "Life living in a big band". Rodger Fox Big Band. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Rodger Fox Big Band Turns On Storming Performance In New Orleans". www.scoop.co.nz. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Rodger Fox Big Band Misses Out On Creative NZ Assistance". www.scoop.co.nz. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  32. ^ "NZ jazz legend Rodger Fox dies aged 71". RNZ News. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Rodger Fox obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  34. ^ "NZ jazz legend Rodger Fox dies aged 71". RNZ. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  35. ^ Heagney, George (29 May 2024). "Legacy of keeping jazz alive and well - legendary musician Rodger Fox dies". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  36. ^ "Rodger Fox: a tribute to the champion of New Zealand jazz". RNZ. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Tribute to Rodger Fox". rodgerfoxbigband.com. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  38. ^ "Aotearoa Music Awards | Award History". Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  39. ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2003". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 June 2003. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  40. ^ "Honorary Doctorate for Jazz Legend". www.massey.ac.nz. 2005. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  41. ^ "Scroll of Honour for Rodger Fox". 12 October 2017.
  42. ^ "New Year Honours: the full list of 2022". The New Zealand Herald. 31 December 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  43. ^ "New Year Honours List 2022". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
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