Unwind Concert featuring Hayden Chisholm
Unwind | 2026 Tour
Hayden Chisholm’s saxophone playing is a miracle – and in St. Peter’s Hall he sounds just gorgeous. Performing music that knows a lot about jazz as well as folk and chamber music traditions, his group Unwind play melodic, contrapuntal music with a beautiful group sound and a great deal of space. Hayden – originally from Taranaki but resident in Europe for more than 30 years – leads Unwind with local musicians Paul Dyne (bass) and Norman Meehan (piano).
Door sales: $30.00
Performing at St Peter’s Hall on Saturday February 14th. Playing music from their most recent album Embers (check it out here) and also mining their extensive back catalogue – plus adding in some new tunes.
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o51WAtRY0O4 [Penelope at CJC]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCBwAdxlvKs [White Nights]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_gDjizFWIM [Mendoza]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY3oYLzovTA [Mendoza with transcription]
PRESS RELEASE
Saxophonist Hayden Chisholm – originally from Taranaki but resident in Europe for more than
30 years – formed Unwind with local musicians Paul Dyne and Norman Meehan in 2012.
Performing music that knows a lot about jazz but embraces folk and chamber music traditions
as well, they play melodic, contrapuntal music characterised by a beautiful group sound and a
great deal of space. In 2026 they will be touring their most recent album Embers (Rattle
Records) complemented by a handful of tasty new tunes. They’ll also play numbers from their
now extensive back catalogue.
Hayden Chisholm moved to Germany in 1993 to study at the Cologne College of Music. He has
performed in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and of course—when the chance
arises—around Aotearoa. Having developed a truly unique voice on the saxophone, Hayden is
one of New Zealand’s most outstanding musical exports. Allaboutjazz.com describes him as
having "perhaps the clearest, purist sound of any saxophonist out there today,rivalling—perhaps surpassing—that of one of Duke Ellington's main alto men, Johnny Hodges”.
Paul Dyne is a cornerstone of the New Zealand jazz scene. Having cut his teeth with Doug
Caldwell and Stu Buchannan in Christchurch, Canada was his finishing school, where he played
with Pepper Adams, Sonny Stitt and Alvin Queen. In New Zealand he is a first-call bassist for
international visitors and has performed and toured with Emily Remler, Blossom Dearie, Bruce
Foreman, Bill Cunliffe, and many others.
Norman Meehan is a pianist and composer, and as well as his work with Unwind records song
settings of New Zealand poetry with vocalist Hannah Griffin for Rattle Records. He is the author
of Serious Fun: Mike Nock’s life and music, and New Zealand Jazz Life.
