I have a great story to tell you but no space this week. It’s like that sometimes. Gigs, gigs, gigs. Even halfway through writing this column I got a call asking if I could mention another gig happening next week.
And since that takes priority over my stories – however fascinating I might personally find them – we’ll head immediately to ‘Stuff Coming Up’.
First up, next Tuesday, July 25, is when the Tauranga Acoustic Music Club does its business. They’re hosting award-winning Waikato duo Sadie and Jay (who were recently at Katikati Folk Club for what was I hear an excellent show) at the RSA, Greerton.
Both are multi-instrumentalists: expect harmonies, stringed instruments including guitar and upright bass, and music ranging from ragtime blues and comical ditties to folk epics. Local legend Bill Ward plays support. It’s a 7pm start with no admission charge but a hat for koha.

The next thing on my radar is Aucklander Jazmine Mary, coming to The Jam Factory next Thursday, July 27, to promote her new album ‘Dog’, joined for the night by ARAHI.
Jazmine Mary is rather extraordinary, singing slow, thoughtful, lyrically-striking songs with a constantly surprising voice, intimate and very beautiful with unexpectedly dips into a lower register.

Photo: Jim Tannock. Jasmine Mary.

Dog
The 2022 winner of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, and opener for Kurt Vile, Billy Bragg, ‘Dog’ is Jazmine’s second album and comes on like a refined luscious Courtney Barnett, both personal and mysterious. It’s a 7pm show, tickets $25.
A couple of nights later, on July 29, same place, it’s the complete opposite.
Instead of youth and beauty, meet...Gary Harvey! Sorry Gary, I couldn’t resist. A self-described “old blues rocker”, this is a birthday gig along with new band The Loose Unit. Gary turns 77 on Wednesday. After decades in Auckland with previous bands the Red House Rockers and, since the 1990s The Night Owls, he moved to Tauranga a couple of years back and says: “As far as I’m concerned coming down here was the best thing I’ve ever done. I love the town people; the musical community is friendly, helpful and encouraging; it reminds me very much of Austin, Texas, where I’ve spent a bit of time, it has a very similar vibe”.

Photo: Supplied. Gary Harvey.

This show showcases a new album Gary has been recording at Welcome Bay’s Colourfield. He started it with the musicians from R‘n’B band Brilleaux shortly after arriving here, but much has changed since.
Guitarist Bruce Rolands is the only Brilleaux member remaining, with the rhythm section now comprising Pat Hawkins (bass) and Jeff Nilson (drums), two names long entwined with the Tauranga scene, a pair who have played together for decades. The Colourfield’s studio wiz Tim Julian is on keyboards and at the Jam Factory they’ll be joined by a couple of killer horn players, Mark Denison and Neville Grenfell. I don’t know Neville but saxophonist Mark is a monster player with a resume that includes Dave Dobbyn, John Farnham and Australian Crawl.

Introductions
Gary says this show is about introducing him and his music. He’ll feature tracks from his previous two albums as well as previewing new songs. Ex-B-Side Band members Paul Parkhouse, Josh Durning and Mike Kirk will be playing support.
It’s at 7pm with $25 tickets.
And if you are of a bluesy persuasion, that music also features at The Jam Factory the following Saturday, August 5, which is International Blues Music Day and sees the combined talents of Rotorua’s Kaos Blues Revue Band, Mike Garner, a couple of Kokomo members, and various guests including a woman singer and a sax player, congregate for a serious night of jamming a bluesy fun.
Tickets are $20 for a 7pm show.
Lastly, and needing no introduction...multi-award-winner Reb Fountain is returning to the Katikati Folk Club at The Arts Junction on Sunday, July 30, with her full band. Just returned from a UK tour and on the back of the release of her new single ‘Faithless Lover’, this should be wonderful. Reb sold-out quickly last time so you might want to book on the Folk Club website. Members $20; casuals $25; show starts 7.30pm.

Photo: Supplied. Reb Fountain (far right) and her band.