03 Sessions

28/07/2025

This Thursday Rezende live at 03 Sessions – a vibrant evening of Latin American and Brazilian music led by acclaimed Wellington-based singer Alda Rezende and her full live band.

Spicing intricate rhythms with Brazilian genres and the originality of her deep voice and delivery, Alda enchants anyone interested in carefully crafted music.

The singer and songwriter has performed at many New Zealand, Australian and Brazilian jazz festivals, including Adelaide Cabaret festival, Wellington International Jazz Festival, Auckland Arts Festival and Christchurch Arts Festival.

Throughout the years she has led projects such as: Live Brazil Festival, Latin Club and Tutakitaki (a collaboration of Brazilian and Maori musicians). Alda also collaborates regularly with different groups and musicians around the world and has released albums Samba Solto, Madrugada and Traveller. Alda has been a world music DJ on Wellington’s iconic Radio Active radio station for the past 15 years.

$20 - General Admission
$15 - 03 Members / Students

Presale via Humanitix or cash/EFTPOS on the door

Facebook Event:
Alda Rezende

07/07/2025

Coming up this month at 03 Sessions

07/07/2025

This Thursday we welcome back the Simurgh Ensemble for a special evening of traditional Iranian music at Space Academy for Persian Night with Simurgh Ensemble.

As the world faces difficult times, especially in the Middle East, we hold space for connection, culture and community through music. Let this be a night to reflect, to listen, and to celebrate the richness of Iran’s musical heritage.

Expect a mesmerising journey through lively folk songs and evocative classical pieces, performed on a range of distinctive traditional instruments.

Lineup:
Esmail Fathi – Daf, Vocals
Liam Oliver – Tar, Setar
Niloofar Rezaei – Tonbak, Setar
Pragunya Myers-Daly – Oud
Nelson Myers-Daly – Bansuri, Bendir

Tickets from 03sessions.com
$20 GA / $15 03 Members or Students

10/06/2025

Next month!

We are excited to be back at Space Academy for another 03 Sessions concert next month. This time we will present a diverse range of lively Persian folk songs and rich classical pieces from across Iran, all for you to enjoy at the cozy Space Academy bar 🎶🎻🎆💃🏻

Grab your tickets now and don’t miss out on Persian Night with Simurgh Ensemble!

02/06/2025

This Thursday night come by and warm up at Space Academy with a Pizza Trap pizza and some red-hot gypsy jazz!

Join guitarist Connor Hartley-Hall alongside Chris Dabinett (guitar) and Dan Robertson (piano) for an evening of vibrant Gypsy Jazz. From fast-paced swing to soulful ballads, bossa novas, and musette waltzes, this trio brings the genre to life with rich melodies and dazzling improvisation—a high-energy showcase of the flair, elegance, and spontaneity that define the genre.

Thursday 5th June
7:30pm Doors
8pm Start

03 SESSIONS // Original and improvised music from Ōtautahi and beyond.
$20 - General Admission
$15 - 03 Members / Students
Presale via Humanitix or cash/EFTPOS on the door
03 Memberships are available at ko-fi.com/03sessions

22/05/2025

Our apologies for the livestream cut out for the Darren Pickering Small Worlds concert tonight - we had some technical difficulties!

We’ll see what we can piece together from recordings to post at a later date. Thanks for tuning in

20/05/2025

Tomorrow night, 8pm! The incomparable Darren Pickering is debuting his latest album "Three" with band known as Small Worlds. Come witness the jazz quartet returning live to the Space Academy stage yet again, to celebrate the release joined by Heather Webb (guitar), Pete Fleming (bass), & Jono Blackie (drums).

This Ōtautahi (Christchurch, NZ) based jazz quartet performs works composed by pianist Darren Pickering as well as re-imagined versions of selected works from other genres. The group’s emphasis is mostly on through-composed material combined with improvisation, and the artistic direction is determined equally by all members. There is a cinematic flavour to the ensemble’s sound, enhanced by the electronic textures of Darren’s ever-expanding collection of modular systems, synths, selected iPad apps and sonic manipulation devices.

Tickets $15-$20 at humanitix.com or on the door.
https://events.humanitix.com/darren-pickering-small-worlds-three-album-release-show

15/05/2025

Our 03 Sessions kaupapa is to bring original and improvised musical projects to keen and appreciative audiences. We host groups from Ōtautahi, Christchurch and also visitors from other regions and even countries!

Do you have or know something brewing and bubbling that needs a stage? We want to hear from you!

Taking Expressions of Interest for our available 2025 gig slots... Quick form, don't be shy. ✌️

Express your Interest here:
https://airtable.com/appvVWWLLmjY3o8dz/pagWNy874kehBZDiy/form

08/05/2025

No 03 Session tonight - we will be back in two weeks for Darren Pickering Small Worlds - 'Three' (Album Release Show) !

In the meantime, you can listen to Darren's interview with Bryan Crump on RNZ from last week:

With a new album out, Christchurch jazz man Darren Pickering talks about his approach to learning the art of jazz.

08/04/2025

Little baby is all grown up! 👩🏾‍🎓 From classic R&B to Neo-Soul, this Thursday Tusekah and Friends promise an electrifying blend of rich, heartfelt vocals and grooves. Tusekah will be performing new unreleased songs alongside her Ōtuatahi band Anand Yoganathan on bass, Joel Coleman on drums, Sabryna Ngaau on keys and Tom Clarke on Guitar. Opening acts from Joel Coleman, Ezra Neal, KY and Zoe Hunter. 7:30pm Doors 8pm Start - come down and be inspired.

01/04/2025

TWO GIG WEEK! This Sunday from across the Tasman the Sherlock Albazi Quartet. This is a debut tour to NZ of this new jazz project with James Sherlock (guitar) and Lillian Albazi (vocals) joined by locals Jono Blackie (drums) and Michael Story (bass). AND up tomorrow (Thurs) is Crossroads, returning to 03 Sessions, this time honouring the monumental 10-year anniversary of Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly'.

Two contrasting and equally stunning shows – see you there!

25/03/2025

PSA: This will sell out so don't ya-miss out on tickets to YAMAS! A Greek Party this Thursday – celebrating Greek musical heritage with passion and authenticity. Opa!