This special and poignant tribute to the late Rodger Fox by the Rodger Fox Big Band, now led by his brother Chris, is a heartfelt celebration of a life that shaped Aotearoa’s jazz community. It was recorded at the Opera House in Wellington as part of the 2024 Wellington Jazz Festival.
Photo: Bigbandleader, CC BY-SA 4.0
Rodger Fox — trombonist, bandleader, educator, and mentor — passed away on 27 May 2024 at the age of 71. He founded the Rodger Fox Big Band in 1973, and over a remarkable five decades, carved his place as a foundational force in New Zealand’s jazz scene.
He took the band all over the country, and to international stages, including Montreux, Monterey, and New Orleans. He also brought international artists to New Zealand to play with the band — musicians like Kurt Elling, Joey DeFrancesco and Patti Austin.
Rodger Fox taught at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, and spent countless hours mentoring young people around the country. After he died, RNZ’s Music 101 described Rodger as someone who would never say no, whose passion for life and music opened doors and inspired musical lives.
In this Wellington Jazz Festival Celebrating Rodger Fox concert, the Rodger Fox Big Band pay tribute to their leader, and start the work of continuing his dreams — of big music, big education, and big hearts.
Recorded by RNZ Concert
Producer: Darryl Stack
Engineers: Steve Burridge and Darryl Stack
Recorded at Opera House, Wellington on 18 October 2024
