Ariana Tikao

horomaka@actrix.co.nz

Ariana Tikao Kai Tahu (BA, PGDip)
Ariana Tikao is a singer/songwriter based in Lyttelton, who has been involved in the New Zealand music scene since 1993 when she was one of the founding members of the group Pounamu. They toured and played mostly in the South Island, as well as performances in Australia, UK and France as a part of the Body Shop sponsored anti-nuclear Pacific delegation in 1995. Pounamu released their debut CD “Mihi” in 1996. It contains compositions by Ariana, both in te reo Mäori and English.

Ariana released her debut solo album Whaea in 2002. She was inspired by the words of poet Hone Tuwhare at a poetry reading she attended with her first born baby in 1999, when he told her to “write what you know”. Being very obedient, Ariana then began formulating the ideas for her Whaea album, which is a journey into the motherhood realm. Since releasing her album she has been included on six compilation albums, including one international album Australasia. Her music is played internationally on world music shows, and regularly played on all over Te Wai Pounamu and Aotearoa on iwi stations, and National Radio.

Up to now Ariana’s main focus has been performing in Te Wai Pounamu, which is the lifeblood of her music. She is on the eve of her international debut, and has plans to showcase her multi-media show, Tuia internationally in 2006. Her collaborative work with artists from other arts disciplines includes live outdoor shows such as the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival in 2003, and Shore last year. She is also a published writer of stories, articles and poems.

Aeolus Quartet

For more information please contact:
Mark Hobson
Mobile: 021 2112 655
m.hobson@netaccess.co.nz

The Aeolus Quartet is a classical saxophone quartet. The members have been playing as a quartet for 7 years, giving concerts and playing for private functions. These young people have worked with each other in a variety of ensembles for a number of years, and so in their quartet playing they present a beautifully rich well-blended sound, yet they have their own individual styles which are shown delightfully in solo passages.

The Aeolus Quartet were invited to present a recital at the Australasian Clarinet & Saxophone Conference in Brisbane.

Mark Hobson is a well-known classical and jazz performer on both clarinet and saxophone based in Christchurch, who leads this group and the quartet Sax 4 Sax Sake and has toured as guest artist with the Wellington based quartet Saxcess. He is also a founding member of the jazz group Scared Crazy, and has played as a soloist with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Da Capo Orchestra, and Christchurch Youth Orchestra, including the premiere performances of soprano saxophone concertos by Anthony Ritchie and Tony Ryan which were written for him. He toured in Australia with Christchurch Youth Orchestra, performing Tony Ryan's Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra.

Sarah Masters is currently studying towards her MusB Honours in performance clarinet at the University of Canterbury, having also completed a B.A. in Classics in 2000. In September this year Sarah will travel to the U.K. to embark on postgraduate study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Sarah currently plays second clarinet and bass clarinet in the Christchurch Symphony, and was a member of the 2001 New Zealand National Youth Orchestra. She was a Semi-finalist at the 2000 Gisborne Instrumental Music Competition where she was also awarded Best Performance
of a New Zealand Composition and a Jurors Merit Award.

Stacey Price has been playing clarinet for 12 years, and began saxophone four years ago. She enjoys playing in various ensembles, and is particularly interested in classical saxophone repertoire. She is a full time student, currently in her fourth year of studies in law and management at the University of Canterbury.

Carmel Courtney is a Christchurch legendary saxophone player. Many will remember her early days with the band “Hampster”. Since then she has toured in New Zealand and overseas. She plays with her band “Sabor” doing Latin Jazz, and a range of other musical duos, trios and more, playing a variety of styles.

Courtney may be signatured by her 'blowing two horns at once' technique, but there is more to this girl than tricks.

Whether hauntingly beautiful improvisations or vibrant latino jazz – all is infused with Carmel’s inimitable inspired style.

Carmel Courtney

ph:021339875 tootinsax@yahoo.com

The Coalrangers

For more informatio please phone:
John Sanchez Lloyd (03)388 8478. coalrangers@yahoo.com www.coalrangers.co.nz

The popular South Island five piece band The Coalrangers seldom play in Christchurch, which makes their annual 'Office Christmas Party' at The Harbour Light each December a special and much anticipated two night event for the band and their many fans.

The Coalrangers are currently writing for, and working on, their fourth album.

Four members of the band contribute original material to the mix and the eclectic blend of musical forms continue to defy categorising.

The last 12 months have been an exciting and hectic time for Christchurch violinist Fiona Pears. After doing a series of sell out concerts around New Zealand she then toured with Hayley Westenra around NZ, Australia and Japan including the Sydney Opera House.

Fiona then travelled to London where she performed in various jazz concerts including a Grapelli/Django tribute show with John Ethridge and a concert at the 100 club in London for jazz great Dis Disley.

Alongside the Jazz shows she has continued working with Hayley Westenra throughout Europe , America , New Zealand and Australia as concert master and soloist.

Her latest venture saw Fiona record and perform a solo for BBC television.

After being back in NZ for 6 weeks she is to return to London to start a world tour with Hayley. During this time Fiona will also be working on compositions for her next solo CD.

Fiona Pears

fionainfo@fionapears.com www.fionapears.com

Gary McCormick

perform.co@xtra.co.nz

The year has been a kind one for Gary McCormick . Not only is he, as McCormick puts it, "ageing magnificently.," but it has been one of the busiest years on record for public speaking and comedy performances.

Gary has been pairing up with Tim Shadbolt alot recently, and as two of the busiest speakers on the business and celebrity speaking circuit, the pair are planning to take their own show to Australia.

"The Aussies are stuck with John Howard who closely resembles a cardigan, at the moment," says McCormick." This would be a good time to invade Australia - they'll welcome us with open arms."

"We have done the lot! From the International Comedy festival in Auckland to 800-seater conferences and the small town halls of towns like Springfield .

"We have so many laughs - and so many good times with the people we meet," says McCormick, "that we find it quite difficult to stop." "We haven't stopped in four decades," says Mayor Tim "this is our fourth decade on stage together!"

Ma Bell is Scottish born Celtic Soul & Blues Singer Songwriter Isabella ( Izzy ) Miller Bell one of NZ's most musical Scottish imports " NZ Musicians Magazine July 2003 "

Izzy has recently returned from Europe and Australia where she has been promoting her latest album Blues Angel. The album has been receiving glowing reviews both here at home and overseas where it was voted album of the week on National's Linda Clark show.

Album Reviews :
"A beautiful album... Miller Bell's very real voice sounds like your best friend revealing themselves to you in song. Izzy said the album was inspired by life, it's joys, laughter, passion, pain & sorrow .....Inspired is the right word "
Andrew Tucker Sunshine Coast Entertainer, Queensland, Australia

" With this album Miller Bell proves she is also a talented songwriter having penned one third of the compositions. An album to relax with and enjoy a glass of wine.
Peter Dent NZMM New Zealand

Isabella Miller Bell

contact: Izzy Miller Bell
Ph: 3847833

millerbell@paradise.net.nz

Harry Harrison

contact: Harry Harrison
Ph: 3328889
harryharrison@xtra.co.nz

The well known Christchurch Jazz musician Harry Harrison performs with a number of talented musicians in his various groups. He isn't afraid to enhance is performances with a multimedia element or two on occassions either.

After the 3 concert series ‘Free Flight’ during the 2003 Christchurch Arts Festival, the Christchurch Press wrote:
“a musical and visual feast….a perfect union of movement and sound, Canterbury jazz has come of age” - ChCh Press

Harrison’s film music performances include pieces to Len Lye’s ‘Tusalava’ and the exploratory film made of Bill Hammond’s amazing painting ‘Hokey Pokey’

Harrison has three CD’s to his credit.

Local guitarist James Wilkinson has been nominated for NZ Guitarist of the Year. He has an exceptional musical pedigree both as a recording artist, session musician, songwriter and band member in the likes of Rua, Hampster, The Two Jimmies and the Bardic Duo.

Wilkinson works in a number of musical styles including: Celtic, Contemporary, Jazz and Folk to name a few. As well as writing his own music, he is one of New Zealand most original sounding cover musicians. And he has the most incredible voice.

"The Two Jimmies, Wilkinson and Young, have a unique sound which works because of the prodigious talent of both, their contrasting personas and the energy they create on stage" Canterbury Family Festival of Music 2003.

The Jimmies perform music from jazzy piping to one-handed guitar playing, and onto songs by Eric Clapton and the Beatles as well as their own compositions.

James Wilkinson

ph: 3265046 and 025 888 882

Janice Gray

contact: Janice Gray Ph: 3896765

New Zealand’s funniest chanteuse Janice Gray. She will have you laughing into your drink and she sends you down memory lane through the great ballads and jazz hits of our time.

Janice performs most often with the boys – guitarist Bob Heinz, Bassist Tom Rainey, and drummer Derek Knibb, as she trails a reckless path through the greatest songs of the last century.

She has recently released her finest solo CD entitled Graysland. Recorded earlier this year, it features all the favourites from Janice’s repertoire.

Jennine Bailey is one of New Zealand’s top jazz singers. Her sultry, smooth voice has won fans across the country. With a singing career spanning over a decade, Jennine performs various genres of music and is equally at home with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in front of an audience of 100,000 as she is with a guitar in an intimate setting.

Jennine Bailey has released of her debut CD ‘You go to my head’ (as featured on TV3 Nightline). This is a beautiful collection of original and covered tunes; ranging from ‘Shouldn’t you oughta be in love’ by Dave Dobbyn to ‘The first time ever I saw your face’. Jennine’s style has been compared to Jazz Grammy award winner, Norah Jones and soul-stirring songstress, Eva Cassidy.

Jennine Bailey

please call (03)3416393, email: fudj9@paradise.net.nz or visit www.jenninebailey.com

Lava

Justine Snelgrove 329-4171 or Tony Paine 027 246-0177

tony.paine@artscentre.org.nz

Lava came together early last year, but with all members having worked in a wide range of local bands including Svelte and Starfish, they are already gaining a reputation for well-crafted original songs as well as guaranteeing a funky good time. While saxophonist Justine Snelgrove, guitarist Tony Paine and Bassist Rick Tait have been responsible for most of the original songs, all the band have contributed to writing, arranging and developing the funky Lava sound.

The full line up is: Justine Snelgrove, sax/flute/vocals; Tony Paine, guitar; Rick Tait, bass/vocals, and Wally Tairakena on drums.

The Lizzie Cook Band have been described as bohemian, eclectic, highly
distinctive, mellow, and uplifting entertainment. They are led by Christchurch-based Lizzie Cook.

Cook’s characteristic blend of warm melodies, chocolatey vocals and thought-provoking lyrics evoke travel, and combine a variety of cultural influences, including Colombian cumbia, dub and jazz.

Accordion is a dominant component in most of Cook’s music, lending a bohemian, quasi-French quality to her songs. "The accordion is quite evocative. Because it breathes ­ it¹s something very much like the human breath, and breath creates a sense of intimacy."

The rest of the Lizzie Cook Band comprises drummer Chris Searle, percussionist Richard Payne and double bassist Mike Kime.

Cook says her music appeals to "the type of people who like good wine". Women, particularly mature women, enjoy it because she¹s writing from the perspective of one who has seen a lot of life. Men, she says, like it because it¹s romantic. Her music is fundamentally uplifting. There’s nostalgia, and a sense of wistful yearning, but also joy. "One thing the guys in the studio noted was that most of my songs are in minor keys, but they’re so happy. It’s uplifting music, melancholic but also romantic."

Cook has released two CDs, Letter from my Heart, and Forty Damn Years, which received accolades on mp3.com.

Lizzie Cook Band

lizziecook_nz@yahoo.com

Malcolm McNeill

Malcolm McNeill is regarded as this country's foremost jazz singer and has an international reputation for his work. When Saxophone playing Bill Clinton visited NZ he said of Malcolm – “That's my kinda music – a great singer and a great voice”.

Malcolm McNeill spends much of his time travelling the world, singing to audiences in Jazz clubs and concert venues. In his home country New Zealand, and home town Christchurch he often performs with Tom Rainey - piano; Johnny Lawrence - bass ; Greg Donaldson – drums

Malcolm has recently returned from Australia where he completed the recording for his 10 th CD with NZ born Sydney Pianist, Judy Bailey.

For more information, please contact:Malcolm McNeill

E-mail : malcolm.mcneill@xtra.co.nz

Phone: 326 5348

Minisnap is essentially 3/4 of the Bats but much more than that. While Robert Scott has been busy with The Clean and solo projects the rest of the band have taken the opportunity to develop a new direction. After years of encouragement from Bats fans, Kaye Woodward has finally taken to writing and singing and she is doing it so well. Minisnap started out as a duo with Kaye and Paul Kean playing along to their computer built rythmn tracks. Songs of theirs featured on rdu's Hi Fibre compilation and Rip It Up chose "Nova" for their 2002 Summer Issue bonus CD.

When it came to playing live, the duo worked to a degree but being stuck to set beats from a machine didn't suit the style they were moving in. Minisnap still use the computer for a few tracks but now gladly welcome Malcolm Grant (Bats and Trillionaires) to take up the throne behind the drum kit. "It gives the songs a chance to breathe and live, the audience are able to empathise and become part of the experience". More recently Marcus Winstanley has joined the band on guitar to enhance the Minisnap sound.

The MINISNAP website has more info and is bundled with The Bats official homepage.

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/thebats/MINISNAP.html

Minisnap

For more information contact:
Paul Kean

Phone: 3642652 ext 3913wk or 9814828
Fax: 3642670

minisnap@paradise.net.nz

For more information please contact: Tamara Smith tamarasmith@isic.org ph: 3862997, 021 1759300, or 03 3198354

Mundi - a rich fusion of originals, jazz and world music.

Mundi certainly got an enthusiastic welcome from the capacity crowd at the Harbour Light last January. The unique sound of this Christchurch-based group comes from the diverse musical influences each member brings to the group.

Misha Marks (guitar) is well known in the Christchurch music scene for his natural talent on the six-string, and in particular for a style he developed during travels around Spain and Latin America . He is currently studying jazz at Massey University in Wellington .

Simon Lusby (bass) graduated from Jazz School on guitar but has since picked up the bass. He has played with several bands around New Zealand such as Solaar and Otautahi All Stars on both guitar and bass. Simon teaches music and is currently studying for an honours degree in jazz at Canterbury University

Sum Suraweera (drums) has played both traditional Sri Lankan percussion and jazz drum for several years. He recently returned from a Sydney masterclass and is completing a music Honours degree.

Tamara Smith (flute) has recently returned from living in Paris and immersing herself in the diverse French music scene. She is one half of the successful jazz duo “Pangolin” and is now a music teacher at Burnside High School.

Mundi have recently played exotic gigs like the Green Globe conference in Kaikoura, the Awaroa Lodge in the Abel Tasman, and have toured Sri Lanki. Although studying in various locations to boost their already formidable talent base, when they perform together the chemistry is still exceptional.

It’s little wonder that Paul Ubana Jones has become a highly sought after musician both here in NZ and overseas. His display of unique guitar playing and percussive basslines are layered with his remarkable voice.

Paul is currently working on his 9th album. As recently said in the Australian press “Quite simply ignoring this artist is not an option”.

"This set of songs are a strong gesture to both my Afro-Nigerian and British London roots."

Paul Ubana Jones

ubana@clear.net.nz
ph 3242339

Rua

dennystanway@yahoo.com

Rua have been said to be New Zealand 's premier award-winning Celtic band.

After their popular return from retirement playing two sold-out concerts at the Harbour Light, Lyttelton in 2004, they returned to the classic Christmas Concert series that ran for most of the 90's. The trio now consists of Denny Stanway, James Wilkinson and Jimmy Young. However, special guests and old friends appear with them.

They will also be appearing at WOMADelaide, 2005 and WOMAD NZ, 2005 as part of Mahinarangi Tocker's acclaimed show “ The Mongrel in Me. “

"Rua could have got away with murder!" The Glasgow Herald, Scotland "A journey of sound and emotion." Timaru Herald , New Zealand “ A tremendous concert, jazzily Celtic. “ The Telegramme, France

Ruby Blue offers a unique insight into the world of blues from a female perspective moving from stinging blues instrumentals to soulful traditional ballads. Having recently been judged finalists in the 2003 Gore Gold Guitar Awards they have also dipped their fingers into the world of country blues.

They have released a 6 track EP called “Not Just Highly Recommended”

Ruby Blue

Rachel Dawick
rachel.dawick@cce.ac.nz
Phone: 3412149

Legendary Kiwi Bard Sam Hunt has spent the last few years living on the Kaipara harbour in the Hokianga, raising his young son Alf.

This has not stopped him from writing poems (the latest published in The Listener about the recent death of his mother Betty Hunt.)

Sam has performed his poems in his usual rollicking fashion, in London, New York and Arthurs Pass! His 'Down The Backbone' tour of ten years ago, covered 135 different performances in eighty-five towns around New Zealand.

At the Harbour Light, Sam was accompanied by Gary McCormick, himself the author of 8 collections of poems. Hunt and McCormick did their last tour together five years ago - a tour captured by a TVNZ documentary called The Roaring Forties, which in turned spawned a Hoder Moa Beckett book by the same name.

It was a night of poetry, anecdotes and laughter!

The two Jimmies are best known for their unique blend of Celtic and Contemporary music styles, featuring vocals, guitar, flutes and pipes.

The last year has seen the Jimmies concentrate, musically, on their collaboration with Mahinarangi Tocker for her show, “The Mongrel in Me.” The band for this show also includes Shona Lang, David Downes, Denny Stanway, Ashley Brown and Anahera Higgins.

In 2003/4, they appeared with Mahinarangi at Christchurch/ Taupo/Tauranga and Wellington International Arts Festivals, next year they will be appearing at WOMADelaide 2005, and WOMAD NZ 2005, in this highly acclaimed show. The Wellington show was recorded by Radio New Zealand for future broadcast with a CD planned for 2005.

Their debut CD The Official Bootleg/Live in Australia 2001 has been receiving critical acclaim with one of its tracks, Raider, rated Number One on Radio Pie’s Top Ten Charts. They have recorded a new CD at the Harbour Light, “Waltzing into Battle with the Woman I Love So Well,” which is now available.

Jimmy Young & James Wilkinson