Do you remember? _{by Madelaine Empson}

The 21^st night of September marks an opportunity for “anyone and everyone who likes to boogie” to head on down to The Rogue & Vagabond, saxophonist Bryn van Vliet says, to celebrate Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) in spectacular style.

EWF was formed in Chicago by Maurice White in 1969 and can’t be pigeonholed into one genre, with Bob Talbert of the Detroit Free Press writing, “I’m not sure what to call this group. Afro-gospel-jazz-blues-rock? Must there be a label?” Following their 1971 self-titled debut, the band would become one of the best-selling of all time, with hits like September, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, and more under their multi-GRAMMY®-winning belts.

Here to pay tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers is Boogie Wonderland, a powerhouse 11-piece band featuring van Vliet (saxophone), Lisa Tomlins and LJ Crichton (vocals), Cameron Robertson and Ben Hunt (trumpets), Kaito Walley (trombone), Conway Jeune (guitar), Leonardo Coghini (keys), Rory Macartney (bass), Jacob Randall (percussion), and Darren Mathiassen (drums). Delivering all the classic EWF hits you know and love, this collective centres stunning vocals from Tomlins and Crichton around a dynamic four-piece horn section and a tight five-piece rhythm section comprising members from Kora, Shapeshifter, Lord Echo, L.A.B, TOI, and more.

I caught up with Boogie Wonderland founder van Vliet about putting this passion project together and partying with them again this September.

Please talk me through how Earth, Wind & Fire has impacted and influenced your musical journey.

For me, EWF is a masterclass in humility. Here is a band that created an entirely new sound, wrote songs how they wanted to, and were genuine to themselves globally. Not only is the music profoundly distinguished in its own right, but the message of love and acceptance flies far and beyond through their repertoire.

What made you decide to come together to pay tribute to them as Boogie Wonderland?

I have been wanting to assemble this show for a number of years. Every year during the Wellington Jazz Festival, local bar and venue The Rogue & Vagabond holds a series entitled Rogue Classic Albums Live where artists from around Wellington put together a live rendition of a classic album in the jazz and jazz-adjacent genres. For the 2023 festival, I pitched to put together EWF’s iconic 1979 album I Am for the series. But this was really an excuse to put this show together with an absolute powerhouse 11-piece band. 

Will The Rogue & Vagabond gig mark your first time back together since the 2023 Wellington Jazz Festival?

This performance back at The Rogue marks the first playing together since our maiden show. I’ve been traveling for six months around the world and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to put on this show on the 21^st night of September. EWF fans will recognise the pun from their hit song...

What’s your personal favourite EWF hit to perform and why?

My favourite number to play is Star or Fantasy. As a horn player, these tunes are very satisfying! But in all honesty, all of the songs we play bring a huge smile to my dial.