Highlights of The Wellington Jazz Festival

Classical piano prodigy and Cuba National Symphony Orchestra soloist, López-Nussa made a late switch to jazz and has never looked back. He will play the Wellington Jazz Festival with his trio, which includes his Father, Ruy. (11 June)

The one-off collaboration ‘Seoul Jazz’ will meld Black String’s electrifying play on Korean musical traditions with the cinematic sounds of award-winning NZ ensemble, The Jac. (Saturday 10 June).

Once described as “the Clark Kent of guitar”, Bill Frisell is joined by vocalist Petra Haden, Thomas Morgan (double bass) and Rudy Royston (drums) in his first ever NZ show on Wed 7 June at The Opera House.

Fusing jazz, Afro-beat and electronica, The Comet is Coming is the soundtrack to an imagined apocalypse, with members King Shabaka (Sons of Kemet, Melt Yourself Down), Danalogue and Betamax your cosmic guides. Saturday 10 June at The Opera House.

Experience the charisma and beauty of five-time Grammy Award-winner Dianne Reeves as she’s joined on stage by Peter Martin (piano), Romero Lubambo (guitar), Reginald Veal (double bass) and Terreon Gully (drums). Friday 9 June at The Opera House.