In Session

Departure Lounge are some of Christchurch's top players, six musicians with a reputation for excellence in search of the good groove. Their second album, 'In Session', captures DL's solid reputation for soulful, mood-swinging melodies and their dynamic live performance 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 Oakley 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 with 'In Session'.

The line-up led by Grenell on guitar, features drummer Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight, Goldenhorse), bassist Johnny Lawrence (Solaa), Cameron Pearce on trumpet (Head of the Christchurch Jazz School), saxophonist Chris Burke, pianist Darren Pickering, and the percussion duo of Sum Suraweera and Kurt Dyer (Solaa). Guests on the album include Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle), Mark Vanilau, and Roslen Langton (LA Mitchell).