Thabani Gapara performs on stage during jazz in the park church road winery concert; one playing the saxophone and the other reading sheet music on a tablet, both dressed stylishly and illuminated by stage lighting.

jazz in the park.

church road winery

in april 2025, AFTER a twenty year break, the sweet sound of jazz saw its homecoming on the lawn at church road winery.

a love letter to the to the sun soaked afternoons of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, where music, wine and community blended seemlesSly into something truly special.

this one is for true jazz lovers who know the power of a perfect note at golden hour.

We are taking a wee break for 2026 but hope to be back in 2027

Concert poster for jazz event titled 'Jazz in the Park,' featuring Thabani Gapala at Church Road Winery in Napier on Saturday, April 12th 2025 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with music performances, a photo of Thabani Gapara with a saxophone.

A GOLDEN AFTERNOON STEEPED IN SOUND & NOSTALGIA

After more than a decade away, Jazz In The Park made its much anticipated return to Church Road Winery. Held on a picture-perfect autumn Saturday in April, the sun shone down on the winery lawn, setting the stage for a deeply nostalgic and soul-lifting celebration of jazz, community, and the re-imagining of a piece of Hawke’s Bay history.

The crowd arrived early, many wearing merch from the original run of events in the early 2000’s - Jazz In The Park t-shirts and well worn wide rim hats adding a sense of continuity and quiet reverence for what the day represented. The vibe was warm, heartfelt, and quietly electric. It wasn’t just a concert, it was a homecoming and a wee taste of what’s to come with this special event back on the annual calendar.

The Hawke’s Bay Jazz Club Big Band opened the afternoon with swing and swagger, linking past to present as mainstays on the original Jazz In The Park event of old. Thabani Gapara headlined with a simply stunning set, his signature saxophone floating across the lawn in a mix of Afro-jazz, soul and funk. Performances by local legends like Whiskey Green Horse, Deep Fried Funk and Lady Larisa with her band brought richness and rhythm, each act adding their own layer to a finely tuned afternoon.

There was something about the setting sun hitting the vineyard, with a glass of Church Road Syrah in hand and Thabani’s final notes ringing out, that felt like magic. The nostalgia was thick, but it was more than just a memory - this was a new chapter, and beautifully written.

Jazz in the park church road 2025. highlights

Thabani Gapara playing saxophone on stage during outdoor sunset, wearing a pink hat, yellow vest, patterned shirt, and beige pants. Jazz in the park church road winery.
A black and white photo of thabani gapara band performing on stage at jazz in the park church road. A drummer with dreadlocks is playing a drum set, and a guitarist and another band member are visible in the background.
Musicians performing on stage at an outdoor night concert, with a crowd of people watching. Jazz in the park church road.
A male drummer with dreadlocks playing drums on a dimly lit stage, illuminated by red and blue stage lights. Jazz In the Park Church Road.
A man wearing a large red straw hat, glasses, and colorful clothing playing a saxophone against a black background. Thabani Gapara - Jazz In the Park Church Road.
Musician playing an electric guitar on stage with red conga drums to the side, illuminated by colorful stage lights, with a blurred motion effect. Thabani Gapara band - jazz in the park church road.
A person wearing a red hat and colorful patterned shirt playing a shiny saxophone against a black background. Thabani Gapara band - jazz in the park church road.
A table lit with purple lighting, featuring a towel, a small jar, a pink comb, a roll of foil, and a red plastic container with glass marbles.
Two musicians performing on stage: one playing a keyboard and the other playing a saxophone, wearing a hat and glasses, in a black and white photograph. Thabani Gapara band - jazz in the park church road.
Blurred image of a person wearing a cowboy hat and light-colored clothing on a stage, with stage equipment and lighting visible. Thabani Gapara band - jazz in the park church road.
A woman in a sparkly blue dress passionately singing into a microphone on stage during a live jazz performance, accompanied by a band of saxophonists, guitarists, and a bassist. Lady Larisa band - jazz in the park church road.
A woman singing into a microphone on stage, wearing a sparkly dark blue dress with a black background. Lady Larisa band - jazz in the park church road.
A musician wearing a black hat and sunglasses playing drums on stage with a microphone in front of him during an outdoor performance at sunset. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
A woman wearing sunglasses singing into a microphone during an outdoor performance, backlit by the sun. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
A woman with a floral headpiece playing a saxophone on stage at sunset. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
Four women stand together outdoors at a picnic, holding drinks and smiling, with a crowd seated on the grass behind them. Jazz in the park - church road winery.
A person with a bun hairstyle holding a guitar outdoors during daytime, with large trees and a crowd in the background. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
Black and white photo of a male musician with sunglasses playing trumpet and a female musician singing into a microphone during a performance. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
A female singer with blonde hair and sunglasses performs on a stage with microphones and musical equipment during an outdoor concert. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
Group of women socializing outdoors in the evening, wearing sunglasses and holding drinks, at a festive gathering with tents and trees in the background. Jazz in the park church road winery.
A woman with blonde hair, wearing sunglasses and a black top, singing into a microphone on a dark background. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
Person playing a trumpet on a dark stage, wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a brown jacket, with a microphone in front. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
People gathered outdoors on a grassy area with trees and tents, some sitting, standing, and walking, enjoying a sunny day at a festival or gathering. Jazz in the park church road winery.
Silhouette of a woman playing the saxophone on stage with sunlight in the background. Deep Fried Funk - jazz in the park church road winery.
A woman and a man wearing sunglasses at an outdoor event, holding drinks, standing in front of palm trees. Lady Larisa, Kevin Murphy, jazz in the park church road winery.
A musician with long hair and sunglasses, wearing a hat decorated with flowers, is playing an acoustic guitar on stage during a performance. Whiskey Green Horse - Jazz in the park, church road winery.
Black and white image of a live outdoor music performance on a stage, with a band of five members, including a singer and a guitarist, partially obscured by tree branches in the foreground. Whiskey Green Horse - Jazz in the park, church road winery.
A woman with long, curly hair wearing a red flower crown and black dress playing a saxophone on stage, with a black background and presence of stage equipment. Whiskey Green Horse - Jazz in the park, church road winery.
Woman singing on an outdoor stage, wearing a floral jacket and a colorful flower crown, holding a microphone, with a scenic landscape in the background. Whiskey Green Horse - Jazz in the park, church road winery. Margot Pierard.
A man with long hair, wearing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and a patterned shirt, is playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone at an outdoor event. Whiskey Green Horse - Jazz in the park, church road winery.
A group of musicians playing saxophones on stage during a performance. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A woman wearing a hat is playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone on a stage with a mountain landscape in the background. Whiskey Green Horse - Jazz in the park, church road winery.
Group of people seated outdoors on folding chairs in a park, wearing hats and sunglasses on a sunny day. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A woman singing into a microphone on stage with a band. Several young men playing saxophones and band members are visible behind her, some wearing white shirts and black vests. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A young man playing the saxophone during a musical performance, sitting behind music stands and surrounded by other musicians, black and white photo. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A young woman with long blonde hair singing into a microphone against a black background, wearing a sleeveless black dress with red and green floral patterns. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A large crowd of people sitting on the grass and in chairs under trees, many wearing hats, at an outdoor event on a sunny day. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A woman singing into a microphone on stage in a dark setting. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
An elderly woman playing a percussion instrument and holding maracas on a stage during a performance. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A man wearing glasses and a white shirt playing an electric guitar on stage, seated on a perforated plastic chair, with dim lighting. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
Black and white photo of a group of people performing music outdoors, with one person playing guitar, a woman with a violin, and an older man possibly playing a wind instrument. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
Group of people having a picnic on the grass with food, drinks, backpacks, and umbrellas, some sitting and others lying down. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A woman singing into a microphone accompanied by a person playing a keyboard on stage, with other musicians visible in the background, during a live outdoor performance. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
A large group of people sitting outdoors on grass, enjoying a sunny day, some in camping chairs and others on blankets, likely attending an outdoor event or concert. Jazz In the park church road winery.
Young woman singing into a microphone on stage, wearing a black floral dress, with blonde hair and gold hoop earrings. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.
Jazz band of young musicians playing saxophones on outdoor stage during daytime, with black music stands and microphones, trees and blue sky in background. Hawkes Bay Jazz Club Big Band. Jazz In the park church road winery.

 FAQs

  • The gates open at 1.30pm, with music from 2.00pm and the event runs until 7pm. Entry is via the Cellar Door Carpark end of the venue – 150 Church Road, Taradale.

  • Yes this event is a family friendly all ages show. Please note anyone under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times.

    Ticket pricing for the 2027 edition will be announced closer to the event

    *Please note booking fees apply

  • Set times and lineup for the 2027 edition will be announced closer to the event

  • Vendors for the 2027 edition of the event will be announced soon

  • Yes, there will be free water available at multiple locations onsite for you to refill your water bottles.

  • There will be a limited number of carparks available for a cash Koha/Donation in the Paddock by the Unison Substation along Church Road – entry is just off Tironui Drive to your right. Please follow the directions of our parking wardens. First in first served! Otherwise there is plenty of street parking available in the surrounding neighbourhood and along Church Road. There will be no parking permitted along the grass verge on Tironui Drive.

  • There are no buses to the event. Recommended Taxi companies - Hawke’s Bay Combined Taxis ph 06 835 7777 or Hastings Taxis ph 06 878 5055.

  • There will be a limited number of picnic tables at the event, first in first served. Picnic chairs and blankets are welcomed, so please feel free to bring along whatever will keep you comfy for a jazzy afternoon on the lawn.

  • Small picnics are welcomed, no commercial food please and no glass or knives. Keep in mind when packing what you need that all bags will be searched on entry which takes time, so to keep things moving please just bring what you need and make the most of our delicious lineup of vendors who are joining us for the afternoon.  

  • Unfortunately, there will be no pass-outs for this event as a condition of the liquor license.

  • The concert is an outdoor event and can be affected by the weather. The stage is fully covered, the area for concert goers is uncovered and open-air. Please note the concert will proceed rain or shine so we advise if you are concerned about the conditions, to come prepared with weather appropriate clothing as there are no pass outs once you are within the venue

  • Sorry, no furry friends are permitted entry into the event, so leave the pups at home and treat yourself to an afternoon out.

  • Church Road Winery - Venue access will be via the cellar door carpark which is a sealed road and is suitable for wheelchair access. Disabled parking is located within the Church Road car park, there are limited spaces, so we recommend booking ahead of time. Please contact us early on hello@littlestone.co.nz so we can look after you on the day!

  • For all accommodation enquiries, check out  www.hawkesbaynz.co.nz

Black and white photo of a man playing guitar, a woman holding a guitar, and an elderly man with glasses playing a flute, outdoors with trees in the background. Jazz In the park church road.

No pass-outs will be issued during the event. Alcohol may not be taken outside the event site. All personal belongings are brought at your own risk. Event Management accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property.

For the comfort, safety, and enjoyment of all attendees, Event Management reserves the right to refuse entry or remove any person without refund if they:

  • are deemed to be intoxicated or acting in a disorderly manner

  • refuse a bag or personal search when requested by security

  • Cannot provide valid ID proving they are 18+ (and are not accompanied by a guardian if underage)

  • Are found carrying items considered dangerous or likely to cause injury or public nuisance

  • Present a ticket purchased from an unauthorised seller

  • Have an active trespass notice in place

  • Engage in unsafe behaviour such as stage diving, crowd surfing, or climbing structures

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

    • Alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia

    • Liquid beverages of any kind

    • Gazebo’s & umbrellas

    • Weapons or any item that could be used as a weapon

    • Gang patches or regalia

    • Professional camera, video equipment or drones

    • Audio recording devices for commercial purposes

    • Any item that could cause injury

    • Picnics & snacks

    • Picnic blankets & camping chairs 

    • Empty water bottles 

    • Hats & sunscreen

    • Personal cameras

    • Mobile phones

    • Ear plugs