Evan Silva & Silva Service

Evan Silva – Vocals, is one of Australasia’s top Jazz, Latin and old school ‘RnB’ artists with a list of impressive achievements in the NZ. and Aust. music industry. He has maintained an excellence in music for a number of decades.

His extensive Repertoire includes the music of; Nat ‘King’ Cole, Burt Bacharach and the soul grooves of Bill Withers mixed with a dash of Latin. Evan is a very stylish, soulful singer with a voice and phrasing that is pure gold.

Ernest Semu – Piano, started his career playing in popular Auckland bands and played the local cabaret circuit backing many well know NZ artists. In 1993 he joined the ‘Azis Band’ which dominated the nightlife entertainment scene in Auckland at the ‘Someplace Else’ bar next to the Sheraton Hotel.

During this time he became the Musical Director for TV Shows such as, ‘Pete and Pio,’ ‘Pio’s Place’ and was also a musician for the ‘Mad Mad World of TV.’ Ernest plays and sings in most Genre of music, particularly Jazz and ‘RnB’ and has 40 years of musical experience making him a sort after musician, musical arranger and composer.

Chris Nielson – Saxophone, Trumpet and Percussion, is a multi-instrumentalist and has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Auckland. He has previously worked/toured with Johnny Mathis, Solomon King, Sir Howard Morrison, Billy T. James, Julian Lee, Mavis Rivers, Dave Dobbyn, Midge Marsden, Rodger Fox, John Rowles and many others. He has toured as support band for Ray Charles in Australia.

He has worked periodically as a producer, including producing and mixing The Mint Chicks album “Crazy?-Yes! Dumb?-No!” winning the Best Album and Best Rock Album at the 2007 NZ Music Awards, as well as BFM Best Producer. More recently (2011-2016) toured extensively with Katchafire. Chris is currently Musical Director of the 20 piece North Harbour Big Band and a recent member of the Brian Smith Jazz Quintet. His main focus now though is playing keyboards and horns with The Unknown Mortal Orchestra alongside his two sons, Kody and Ruban.

Alex Griffith - Bass, has three decades of performance experience with National and international touring artist including Randy Crawford (USA), Miguel Fuentes (Puerto Rico), and the Rodger Fox Big Band. We have seen Alex in two other line-ups at our Turner Centre Jazz Club. Afro Tropical, and the Allana Goldsmith Quartet. He would have to be one of the most exciting, innovative world class bass players New Zealand has produced.

Lance Bentley - Drums, comes from a very musical family, and has been involved in the music industry playing night clubs, bars, and shows throughout New Zealand for many years.

He has played with many of our great musicians and entertainers from Billy T James to Nathan Haines. Lance has also worked overseas on shows in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Australia, Hawaii and Samoa.