Events

I’m really excited to present and record my debut solo album, Finding Balance. This project draws on influences from modern jazz, hip-hop, fusion and cinematic soundscapes. The work will be performed by a six-piece jazz ensemble featuring Cameron Pearce, Nick Pitts, Sam McKay, Dougal Canard, and Cameron Finlay. The music shifts between energetic, groove-driven passages and more spacious and atmospheric moments.

I want my album Finding Balance to reflect the journey so many people go through at high-pressure moments in our careers, and how we manage and deal with navigating both internal and external pressure. Writing this album during the final year of my Bachelor of Music has been a journey of many highs and lows, and I hope the emotions I felt during this time are reflected through the music.

As an audience member, you become part of the professional recording. The energy, interaction and spontaneity between the musicians and the audience being captured in the recording is what makes this a performance you cannot miss.

All proceeds from this event will go towards the production of the album.

The project is supported by The Piano’s Bronwyn Bijl Scholarship and the Ara Foundation.

My name is Alex Boot, and I’m a Christchurch-based saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer currently completing a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) at Ara Music Arts. My recent performance credits include the Symposium Big Band, Sambolero, Silver Locks, Caja Duo and Sandfly at Rhythm & Alps.

As a versatile reed player, I have worked across a range of recent theatre productions, including Ben McDonald’s Judy’s Encore, Showbiz Christchurch’s Jersey Boys and Enchanting Productions’ Sweet William. I have also been a three-time recipient of the New Beginnings Scholarship, and I was the winner of the CloudRoadMusic Production Competition in 2025.

Sunday 8 November 2026
5pm to 6.30pm

The Piano
156 Armagh Street