To bolster his first festival appearance Derek enlisted the help of harmonica player Grant Bullot. They played primarily 1930s blues and it was a huge success. So much so that, with the addition of Grant’s bass-playing brother Roger, they formed an acoustic blues trio and spent the 1990s tearing around the country playing over 100 shows in one year alone.

But that was long ago. Since then they have played in every corner of New Zealand, from Sweetwaters to the America’s Cup; the Aotea Centre to the Blackball Hilton;

Along the way they have released fifteen albums and a live concert film, and grown from a trad blues 3-piece to a multi-intrumental 5-piece carving out a specific “Kiwiana Blues” niche in New Zealand music.

This year Kokomo return to the National Jazz Festival for their 35th anniversary in a very special collaboration with members of the Tauranga Big Band and with surprise special guests throughout the evening. This will be Kokomo like you’ve never seen them before – let the fun begin!

Kokomo:

• Derek Jacombs – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Grant Bullot – harmonica, washboard
• Nigel Masters – bass
• Santiago Rebagliati – electric guitar
• Ian “Beano” Gilpin – drums