Jerome Kavanagh - Taonga Puoro & Sound Healing

Jerome Kavanagh (Poutama) hails from the Mokai Patea, Maniapoto, Kahungunu tribes (Maori) and the Caomhanach clan (Irish). He was first introduced to the sound of Taonga Puoro at aged 16 by one of his aunties. A family owned Koauau (Maori cross blown flute) was the first instrument he recalls learning to play.

Taonga Puoro - Traditional Maori musical instruments reflect the sound of our natural environment from the mountains, rivers, land to the sea. Our ancestors used these instruments in days gone by as tools to heal and promote a healthy body, mind and spirit. Taonga Puoro holds the vibration of the natural world and when played this vibration resonates within us and helps to reconnect to the intelligence and power of nature.

Experience Jeromes collection of around 40 unique and rare Maori musical instruments from the Nguru- Whales tooth nose flute to the Porutu Pounamu- Greenstone long flute. The Koauau Toroa, albatross wing bone flute to the unique Putorino - a cocoon shaped trumpet flute made from the mighty totara tree. These beautiful sounds allow for a journey into self, by creating a safe and nurturing space. In a fast paced busy world Oro Atua gives us an opportunity for reflection and self healing through vibrational power of natures sound.

This is a unique opportunity to experience Jerome's amazing workshop here in the Bay of Islands as he shares his ORO ATUA Puoro Maori sound healing knowledge and revives the practices of healing through traditional Maori musical instruments.

This event is presented free thanks to Kororareka Marae - we appreciate you registering so we can get an idea of numbers

ABOUT JEROME KAVANAGH:

Maintaining his strong roots, Jerome has become part of a movement introducing Maori music, art and culture to the world. Over his career he has performed/recorded with artists from a variety of different genres which range from Hip Hop to Classical. His collaborations include The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (U.K), Moana and the Tribe (N.Z), Daniel Beddingfield, Hayley Westenra, Joler Gaan (Bangladesh), Kevin Mark Trail "The Streets" (U.K) and two times Grammy award winning composer Christopher Tin (U.S.A). Jerome is currently the Taonga Puoro artist for Drax Project and performed as part of Six60 Saturdays summer tour.

Jerome joins only a handful of New Zealand musicians as a featured solo artist and lyricist on two time Grammy award winning album "Calling All Dawns" 2011 in "Kia Hora te Marino"(May peace be widespread) recorded at Abbey Road studios, London.

Jerome has performed at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center alongside Distinguished Concerts New York International Orchestra, Sydney Opera house with his band HuiA, The British Museum, Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum, Guest artist at Pasifika festival 2016 and was also a selected member of the New Zealand Art Delegation at the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts in the Solomon Islands. Jerome toured India and Bangladesh sharing his Oro Atua Taonga Puoro sound bath experience and live performances with as a guest artist with the legendary Bangladesh band Joler Gaan. In the last two years Jerome toured internationally with global indigenous band Small Island Big Song and is worked as a composer and recording artist for The Deadland series.

Alongside his musical career, Jerome is one of New Zealand’s most active Taonga Puoro workshop providers. At present he travels sharing his interactive, live show "Power to the Puoro" to thousands of children in Aotearoa as well as with universities, museums, colleges and Indigenous communities globally.