The annual festival, which showcases a breadth of jazz styles from around New Zealand and the world, this year includes three free shows by the acclaimed Neil Cowley Trio, which first burst on to the United Kingdom jazz scene with 2006 debut album Displaced.
Combining the dynamic energy of rock and the hypnotic rhythms of dance music, Cowley's distinctive approach to piano playing has prompted some critics to describe his compositions as "jazz for Radiohead fans".
As a 10-year-old, London-born Cowley performed a Shostakovich piano concerto to a full house at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Yet he turned his back on the Royal Academy at an early age. Instead, having answered an advertisement in Melody Maker at 17, he entered the world of pop.
Cowley went on to record and tour with some of the best soul and funk bands of the day, including Gabrielle, The Pasadenas, the Brand New Heavies and Zero 7, until in 2002 he formed his own band, Fragile State.
As one half of the Fragile State production duo, Cowley produced two critically acclaimed albums. However, when his record company dissolved, Cowley set forth with a piano, began composing and eventually realised a long-standing vision, forming a jazz trio with Richard Sadler (double bass) and Evan Jenkins (drums).
The trio, which quickly became known for energetic and forceful melodies and catchy hooks, won "best album" at the 2007 BBC Jazz Awards and released sophomore effort Loud . . . Louder . . . Stop in 2008.
For Jenkins, the forthcoming gigs in New Zealand will be special. He was born here, leaving in 1989 to pursue studies in Australia before emigrating to London.
The Neil Cowley Trio performs at the ASB Queenstown JazzFest on Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, at the Village Green as part of the free Community Spotlight concerts. It will also perform a free concert at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside on Thursday evening.
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For a full programme visit www.queenstownjazzfest.co.nz
