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John Fenton

John is a videographer, photographer, published poet & writer.

About Me

In January 2020 the JazzLocal32.com blog was rated among the top 50 Jazz Blogs in the world and ranked at number 40 by Blog.Feedspot.com JazzLocal32.com is about Jazz, experimental improvisation, and related topics. It is structured as a Webzine or Improvised Music Journal, with the primary purpose of promoting and documenting musicianship where this reportage would not otherwise happen.

On occasions, the posts will explore experimental music, Flamenco, Middle Eastern, and improvised Ambient streams. With the merging of streams, you get deeper rivers. Improvised music should never stand still; if it does it becomes a museum exhibit. As musicians reach for new sounds, forms, and genres they will inevitably blur the margins. There is nothing new in this.

I am also a videographer, photographer, published poet & writer. I am an international judge for the ‘7 Virtual Jazz Club’ and the JJA yearly Jazz awards. I am also a featured Jazz writer on Radio13.co.nz and an occaisional broadcaster.

I can also be located at JohnFentonPoetry.com

Since the Blog’s inception, it has gained momentum and it gets above 20,000 hits per annum. It has the advantage of operating in a distinct niche as I confine most of my attention to the improvised music of Australasia and the South Pacific. Only occasionally do I stray beyond those boundaries. Central to the blog is the Auckland Jazz scene and the CJC (Creative Jazz Club). The blog is read in New Zealand, Australia, USA, and around 20 other countries.

My task is to tell the musicians stories; rendering musical notes into words. I write as a listener.

My Jazz Story

I was first exposed to jazz at age 6 when I saw a Louis Armstrong movie. Since then, I have continuously broadened my tastes in improvised music and have few prejudices (except Kenny G). As well as mainstream, I embrace all of the hybrid forms, be they free jazz, ambient improvised or world jazz fusion. Jazz should never become a mere museum piece. It is improvised music and thus restless by nature. This old jazz lover has no fear of honest free expression as long as it's authentic.

My House Concert Story

I have been a Jazz Blogger for many years. Until I contracted long covid I attended live Jazz gigs up to twice a week. I am a Jazz Judge at 7VirtualJazzClub and a contributor there. I am a member of the Jazz Journalists Association and have contributed photographs, articles, and poems to various publications and sites. I am a published poet living in Aotearoa New Zealand. I have frequently attended recording sessions and often hosted jazz gigs at home. I am widely travelled, with Jazz connections all around the world.