Whirimako Black Trio

Whirimako Black will be touring Aotearoa with Arts on Tour New Zealand in November.

Whirimako Black is Aotearoa’s undisputed soul diva. With melodies caressed into shape by the language of her ancestors, Whirimako has carved out a musical pathway leading from the mists of Te Urewera to the world.

Joined on stage by multi-instrumentalist Kim Halliday and Mahina Kaui’s taonga pūoro sounds and vocals, The Whirimako Black Trio Arts on Tour New Zealand tour will cover 23 venues throughout the North and South islands.

Whirimako Black. Whirimako is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive singers, and a passionate champion of te reo Māori. She studied music theory in 1983 at the Sydney School of Music and obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Auckland University of Technology in 1997. She enjoys an enviable list of awards wins and nominations including Best Māori Album, Best Jazz Album, and a Silver Scroll award for Best Māori Composition.

Whirimako has featured on numerous collaborations with some of the world’s most highly regarded musical artists, such as Donal Lunny, Steve Kerney, Larla Leonarda, renowned Zimbabwean singer/songwriter Oliver Mtukudzi, and (closer to home) Dave Dobbyn, Neil Finn, Salmonalla Dub, Nathan Haines, and collaborated with Richard Nunns on the 2011 masterwork, Te More.

In 2006 she was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori Music and received an Arts Foundation Laureate Award in 2011.

Kim Halliday. Kim is a renowned multi-instrumentalist, composer and performer and was the principal writer for Pacific Curls Trio for 12 years.

Mahina Kaui. Mahina is a talented recording artist, composer and an accomplished player of taonga pūoro.

https://rattle.co.nz/artists/whirimako-black

Thursday 9 November 7.30pm Christchurch, Great Hall, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, 2 Worcester Boulevard. $26.50, Tickets: www.artscentre.org.nz