Bio

They are some of Christchurch's top players, featuring six musicians with a reputation for excellence in search of the good groove. The band is Departure Lounge, and they're ready to ride with their first studio album.

Departure Lounge will release their second album 'In Session' on November 3, serving up ten crisp musical biscuits of psychedelic groove. 'In Session' captures Departure Lounge's solid reputation for soulful, mood-swinging melodies and a dynamic live performance that is a must-see for fans of progressive music.

It was, after all, a celebrated live performance that initiated the journey of Departure Lounge when Grenell collected some of Christchurch's best jazz musicians for the 2005 Christchurch International Jazz Festival - a performance that was so electrifying that the recording was released as their first album a year later, Departure Lounge - Live.

Since then the band has developed and matured its sound, and In Session is what awaits along with a summer tour of New Zealand.

The line-up is led by Oakley Grenell on guitar, who released his solo album 'Moving On' in 2008 to critical success, and features drummer Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight, Goldenhorse), bassist Johnny Lawrence (Solaa), Cameron Pearce on trumpet (head of Chch Jazz School), saxophonist Chris Burke, pianist Darren Pickering, and the percussion duo of Sum Suraweera and Kurt Dyer (Solaa).

Joining the band as guests on the album are vocalists Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle), soul star in-the-making Mark Vanilau, and new recruit Roslen Langton (LA Mitchell). 'In Session' was mixed by electronica pioneer The Nomad at his Fresh Produce studio in Melbourne, mastered by Grammy winner George Lambert of Massive Masters in the UK, and will be distributed by Border music in NZ. This will be Grenells seventh album released on his independent record label Central Records based in Christchurch.

It all adds up to an album with a damn-good groove from this exceptionally talented group of musicians.

Band Members:
Oakley Grenall (guitar)
Nick Gaffaney (drums)
Johnny Lawrence (double bass)
Cameron Pearce (trumpet)
Chris Burke (saxophone)
Sum Suraweera (percussion)
DJ Nativestyle (Mara TK) (scratch)