One of the children of the mist, renowned te reo singer Whirimako Black, 2008 Tui Award winner for the Best Jazz Album, is launching a website developed with the support of Te Puni Kokiri and Ignite Studios.
One of the children of the mist, renowned te reo singer Whirimako Black, 2008 Tui Award winner for the Best Jazz Album, is launching a website developed with the support of Te Puni Kokiri and Ignite Studios. Filming of the launch will be posted on to Whirimako Black’s website www.whirimako.org for all fans and new listeners of her exquisite voice to view.
Whirimako, her whanau and friends are holding a special event to both launch the website and to commemorate New Zealand’s last day of Maori Language Week, sharing and embodying the spirit and taonga of Maori Music, Maori kai and te reo Maori. Huhana Rokx, the Maori Language Commissioner will be attending.
A music performance by Whirimako Black will take place with accompanying musicians : Miguel Fuentes on percussion, Ben Turua on double bass, Nigel Gavin on guitar, Justin Kereama on traditional taonga puoro and Kim Patterson on saxophone and percussion.
Her whanau Rangitunoa Black and Anituatua Black will be reciting poetry, both of whom have collaborated with the acclaimed singer on her musical compositions, particularly the lyrics. Professor Taiarahia Black will talk about the dimensions and continued development of te reo Maori.
The invited guests will be served traditional Maori kai by the multi-talented cook Anne Thorpe. She is well-known for the Maori TV Kai Ora program and practises the philosophy of manaakitanga – or Maori hospitality. Her mouth-watering dishes are sourced from New Zealand’s finest produce, resulting in a refreshing vision of haute cuisine, Maori style. Rapaera Black will also collaborate with Anne in producing and explaining the different foods on offer.
Whirimako’s music career has resulted in 6 solo albums to date, Hinepukohurangi: Shrouded in the Mist, Hohou Te Rongo, Tangihaku, Kura Huna, Soul Sessions and Whirimako Black Sings. In 2001 she achieved international success when she recorded two tracks for the concept album 1 Giant Leap, which also featured Robbie Williams, Michael Stipe, Baaba Maal and other top world music artists from around the globe.
In 2004 Whirimako also recorded 2 tracks with renowned Zimbabwean musician, Oliver Mtukudzi, for a documentary movie Land Of Our Fathers, by film-maker Jennifer Bush-Daumec, which was a finalist in the Silver Screen Awards. Whirimako composed and sang the title music for the acclaimed TVNZ series The New Zealand Wars. She also appeared on the 2005 album of poems by Hone Tuwhare, produced by Charlotte Yates, and then performed the track at the 2006 Wellington Arts Festival and reprised it at the Auckland Arts Festival in 2007.
Over the past few years this exceptional singer has appeared at such varied events as WOMAD, AK'07 and AK’09, the Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga and Nelson Jazz Festivals. Early last year Whirimako toured with Salmonella Dub (resulting in this band’s live CD released in 200. As the featured solo artist, Whirimako performed her jazz repertoire to special arrangements by jazz legend Russ Garcia with the NZSO in May in Wellington.
In the 2006 New Year’s honours list, Whirimako Black received the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to M?ori music.
Whirimako Black
" …her voice is a taonga, a New Zealand treasure"
For Media Enquiries please contact:
Gaylene Martin
Ph: 09 444 7377 / Mobile: 027 464 3062
Email: Gaylene.kiwi@xtra.co.nz
For All Other Enquiries please contact:
Turori Chapman
Administration/Communications
Makomako Music Productions
Ph: (09) 482-0557 / Cell: 021-2039524
Email: turori@xtra.co.nz
WHIRIMAKO BLACK WEBSITE LAUNCH
Friday 31 July
“Tuhoe moumou kai, moumou taonga, moumou tangata ki te po”
– “The Generosity of Tuhoe”