THE BAND

DENNY ALLEN

Lead Vocals/Guitar

Denny played drums and sang lead vocals in several Wellington covers bands during the 70's.

Moving to Nelson in '87 he formed Denny & The Jets, which became a hugely popular rock and R&B band, recording the album Best Bits.

When the group's guitarist left, Denny swapped drums for guitar, playing solo in various lineups for the next 20 years, including the more recent Boulder Bank Band where he teamed up with bassist Nev Harris (who left Jukejoint in December 2023 to move permanently to Oz)

With Jukejoint Denny is on lead vocals and guitar and says he’s loving the lively R&B and blues repertoire with soulful vocals and solid dance beats.

Denny: "Come on down to see Jukejoint and join in the fun!"

RICH LUETCHFORD

Harmonica/Vocals

Rich spent many years playing pubs and clubs in London and South West England, in various Blues outfits and rock bands, including Sgt Fury to Mojos.

In 1972 he played in the support band to Queen at Bedford College (but only 6 people turned up!)

Early Influences:

The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Savoy Brown, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, John O'Leary, Little Walter, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters and many more have inspired and created a love of the Blues, and playing Blues harp.

WARREN (WOZZ) HOUSTON

Drums/Percussion

Timothy Paul Photographer

Wozz has played drums, percussion and sung for over 60 years.

In 'The Swinging Sixties' he joined Auckland band Rumbling Tum as a drummer/lead vocalist. Here he met up with, and formed a lifelong friendship with, none other than JukeJoint guitarist Paul Nickless - now sadly departed - though living on in spirit.

In Hamilton, Wozz joined various rock groups - including Mantis and Dealer - as a vocalist.

Relocating to Rotorua he drummed and sang in several covers bands. He also formed well-known Bay of Plenty modern jazz group Yes, No, Maybe And Could Be, and was a foundation member and President of The Bay of Plenty Blues Club.

In 1999 Wozz joined The Mike Garner Blues Band, and has played drums and percussion with Mike ever since, performing Blues music throughout NZ, in Australia, New Caledonia - and even Kathmandu, Nepal (!) - and recorded several albums.

Wozz toured with English/Swiss domiciled Blues singer/songwriter David Ferrington (a.k.a. Dave Boy Ferry) including a Swiss tour and, in 2015, recorded a studio album.

Wozz: "With my passion for playing live music, I'm delighted to join Jukejoint to play with Paul's musical buddies"

BAN D RICH, HADYN, DEN_edited_edited_edi

HADYN OLSEN

Guitar/Vocals

Hadyn started a Dunedin High School band called Harlot. Oh?... Really! Well, they were young and it was the 70’s - that carefree, rebellious, energetic time when playing in a band was the most fun thing to do ... along with the other things that go with Rock 'n' Roll (?!)

He graduated to the formation of renowned Dunedin band, After Dark along with Neville Anderson, Ropati Hebenstreit, Russell Scoones and Malcolm Black.

Hadyn disappeared into hibernation for many years playing only at home, but in 2009 joined up with old friends Kathy and Larry Park in Auckland to form Rawjam where they enjoyed experimenting with free-flow jamming and the occasional gig.

Haydn: “Jukejoint is a great bunch of guys who share a special kind of musical spirit that I have immediately felt comfortable with."

MURRAY POULTER

Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals

Murray first started playing music with local brass band The Motueka Munipissal, where he developed his skills for performing with other musicians.

Following years of humming bass parts (possibly a bit annoying to others?!) Murray finally bought a bass guitar and hacked away both at home and with friends.

In 2015 he moved back to the Tasman district and began playing seriously, buying more (and better) basses.

Murray has played locally with bands Cruise Control and the Vandini Brothers and recently joined Jukejoint.

As a boy of the 60's his musical influences were British Blues bands and American R&B.

Locking in with Wozz while having fun

making good music is the motivator

GONE - BUT STILL VERY MUCH WITH US IN SPIRIT -
INSPIRATIONAL GUITARIST, FOUNDER MEMBER OF JUKEJOINT, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE TASMAN BAY BLUES CLUB

PAUL NICKLESS

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It is with great sadness that we lost our dear friend and Band member Paul, who passed away on Valentine's Day, 14 February 2024.

Paul's passion for music started way back in the early 60's when he joined an Auckland beat group based on the English Mersey sound. The Minutemen became Zodiac recording artists and released four singles. Although one made the NZ Top 20, the group broke up shortly thereafter.

Paul played bass and 2nd guitar in many bands over the years - his favourite projects being 2 Gun Banana and The Soul Agents, a band featuring ex Blam Blam Blam members Mark Bell, Tim Mahon, and good mate Tim Roskruge on drums. They raised tens of thousands of dollars for Starship Children’s Hospital alongside NZ legend Jordan Luck.

Paul's original song Love Ya Mama - written shorly after his mother's death - was recorded by Mike Garner in 2014 on the album Cad’s Alley and was played in his honour at the Blues at the Point Festival on 2nd March (click the link to the left to see the video).

Paul's long-time love of the Blues, English R'n'B and Pub Rock come to fruition with Jukejoint ,which hit the Nelson blues scene in 2020 as a 4-piece band with Paul, Nev, Denny and Rich, soon racking up regular bookings in prime venues around Nelson. In 2022 the Band added 2 new members, Hadyn and Wozz, then lost Nev, who migrated across the ditch to Australia, replacing him with Murray. Jukejoint is now one of the most popular bands in the region.

In 2021 Paul and Marcus Roebuck of Rubber Biscuit Band, came up with the idea of creating a dedicated Blues Club. Regular patrons of The Honest Lawyer in Monaco, they'd set their sights on an adjacent building (previously a boatshed, then used as a Wedding/Functions and live music venue.) The Barn was perfect, and negotiations with the owner for its use were initiated (see the history of The Barn on Tasman Bay Blues Club's website for full details). For Paul this was the crowning achievement of his musical career, and the one of which he was justifiably most proud.

Above: With Paul at Mapua Waterfront, and Bluesing it up on a hot summer's day at Golden Bear Brewing.

Below: Jam night Live! at The Barn. With over 150 members (and their guests) it's definitely a FULL HOUSE!