Holmes - Geoffrey Palmer with Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball

In this 1989 Holmes excerpt, visiting Brit jazz musicians Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball meet Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer, a self-described “mediocre trumpeter”. The trio play ‘Tin Roof Blues’ in the PM’s office, before a circuit of the Beehive balcony. Unlike Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign-defining saxophone slot on The Arsenio Hall Show, the Kiwi leader’s jazzy side earned more sniggers than kudos — although the former law professor recalled the jam fondly in his memoir as one of the lighter moments of his Prime Ministerial tenure: “I loved it”.

Now it's not widely known at all, but a very famous New Zealander has been known to pucker his lips for the old brass instrument.

– Paul Holmes

Key Cast & Crew

Bernie Griffen

Producer

Mark Sainsbury

Producer

Paul Holmes

Presenter