Creative influence can come in many forms - and Rodger Fox ticked so many of them for an incredible number of people across New Zealand and the globe.

The music world is mourning the passing of the inimitable Fox on Monday (27 May), aged 71. His contribution to jazz and big band music in Aotearoa is legendary, his passion infectious and his legacy undeniable.

Veteran music journalist Graham Reid posted on social media that Fox's passing "leaves a chasm", stating "He was more than a jazz musician, he was a promoter, entrepreneur, advocate, teacher, mentor and enthusiast. He took NZ musicians overseas and brought big jazz names here."

Fellow Jazz artist Nick Tipping referred to Fox as "An unstoppable force of nature," while composer Christopher White noted, "A giant of NZ music has passed on, and the legacy he leaves propels so many of us forward to build on the foundations he laid."

Jazz man

Best known for founding the Rodger Fox Big Band in Wellington in 1973, Fox has toured extensively and regularly across our shores and overseas, leading the way as the country's leading trombonist. He's also prolific in his recording output, with almost 40 albums released over the past 50 years.

Of particular note was their performance at the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival in 1980 - the first-ever NZ band invited to play at an international jazz festival. Fox often enticed some of the best in the world back here to play with him too, with American saxophonist Michael Brecker helping celebrate the Rodger Fox Big Band's 30th anniversary a major highlight.

He also had a penchant for showcasing the work of other creative icons of Aotearoa.

Reid - on his Elsewhere Facebook page - commented "Not many - if any - musicians could say they played with Michael Houstoun, Midge Marsden, Randy Crawford, John Scofield, Joey De Francesco, Mike Stern, Michael Brecker … and recorded albums of Dave Dobbyn songs, tunes inspired by Hone Tuwhare poems … and that’s only a small measure of what Rodger Fox did in a half-century of music. A great loss."

Simon Sweetman remarks in his substack Sounds Good that Fox "was a collaborator across genres, including a long-running, if incongruous set of shows and albums with the classical pianist Michael Houstoun. The result was truly spectacular, and no one could have guessed it — you could tell from Houstoun’s face alone! 

"Most recently he toured a show and recorded an album with hip-hop artist King Kapisi. There was an album of Dave Dobbyn songs arranged for big-band, and in earlier years he worked with everyone in New Zealand music from Ray Wolfe to the Yandall Sisters, to Roy Phillips of the world-famous Peddlers."

His talents were recognised with four successes at the Aotearoa Music Awards, a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music and an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Massey University.

An inspiration

However, perhaps his reputation and impact as an educator are the most impressive.

Fox was part of the team that established the first jazz courses at the Wellington Polytechnic in the 1980s, which later turned into the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) and became part of Victoria University of Wellington.

He was a senior tutor at Massey University for a decade, then became a senior lecturer at the NZSM in 2011, where he also led student big bands.

The Rodger Fox Big Band operated as a non-profit organisation with earnings going towards educational opportunities, funding trips to jazz festivals or jazz education conferences, and bringing overseas musicians to collaborate with the band.

Former Director of the NZ School of Music Professor Sally Jane Norman told the Manawatu Standard “Roger was just the most fantastic, dynamic, committed and passionate colleague and musician, and he was a really remarkable teacher.”

NZSM lecturer Daniel Hayles says, “Like many of my peers, Rodger was first my hero and then my champion. He saw potential in everyone he encountered, took a chance on so many of us and never overlooked a single person in his mission to build our scene and spread joy in music. His energy was endless and his presence was galvanising. We loved him and he will be sorely missed.”

His musical influence was boundless. 

Mikey Havoc tweeted "I had the pleasure of performing with Rodger first way back in 6th form and then many times over the years since. Such a great man, so talented and such a fantastic Big Band leader. Thank you Rodger! You changed NZ music for the better."

Regular Rodger Fox Big Band performer Baron Oscar Lavën eulogised "Rodger Fox always believed in me, always encouraged me, gave me so many opportunities here and across the world, he was a great mentor and a great friend. A reassuringly constant figure - doesn't matter what ups and downs were going on, there was always Rodger, doing his thing, spreading his energy. 

"He did so much for people here - he was the guy you looked at and thought 'hey, look at what he's doing, maybe I could do that too. Maybe people in Aotearoa can participate in this music too'." 

“I am devastated by the news of Rodger’s death,” says former student and saxophonist Eilish Wilson. “He worked tirelessly and selflessly for the music and for all of his students and colleagues. 

"I’ll never forget having a hard time at uni and visiting his office for advice, which was ‘maaaaaan, just play like yourself. Be yourself’. I loved Rodger as a mentor, colleague, and above all, friend.”

Fox on the scene

Fox wasn't just a regular on the national jazz scene, he was a backbone. A life member of the Tauranga Jazz Society, he was last seen on stage at this year's annual National Jazz Festival. 

General Manager Mandy Ryan told The Big Idea "Rodger’s commitment to music in general and Jazz in particular is well documented.  His support for education, our Tauranga National Jazz Festival and National Youth Jazz Competition is unprecedented.

"In 1974, Rodger first performed at the Tauranga Jazz Festival with his 7 piece band Quincey Conserve. In 1976, Rodger performed with his Golden Horn Big Band - which was renamed as the Rodger Fox Big Band and has performed at nearly every National Jazz Festival since - a total of 50 years. 

"In 1978, Rodger was the leader of the Mana College Stage Band who competed at the first Tauranga Youth Band Competition and not surprisingly they won the Best Big Band Trophy. Rodger started judging the competition in 1984 and has been the Head Judge for the last 10 years. Rodger worked closely with Tauranga Jazz Society to deepen, broaden, and raise the standards of jazz for emerging young musicians.

"Onstage workshops delivered by Rodger to the student Big Bands was a highlight every year for the students and the audience - we all learned so much from him, his humour and enthusiasm for jazz will be sadly missed.

"We have lost a great musician, educator and friend. Rodger Fox holds a unique place in the history of jazz in Aotearoa, he will live long in our memories."

He was also a much-adored and admired part of the Manawatu Jazz club, where he often shared his wisdom and enthusiasm with its members. 

Fox helped run the Manawatu Jazz and Blues Festival, and was originally slated to perform with his beloved Big Band this Saturday (1 June) at the Festival's Gala Concert.

But in Fox's true 'it's the music that matters' spirit - the Rodger Fox Big Band is still expected to take the stage.

For those just discovering Fox, AudioCulture has a great summary of this incredible musician - and below is a taste of some of his performances.

It's through his music and his countless proteges that Fox's immense contribution will live on. As Norman states, “Legends don’t die.”