Tama Waipara and Maisey Rika, two of Aotearoa’s most distinctive and sophisticated Maori voices, are set to head out on an acoustic tour this February, playing a number of shows around the North Island, including Wellington, Auckland, Mahia, Gisborne and Kaitaia.
Tama Waipara is a groundbreaking singer/songwriter whose vocals are sweetly soulful, possessing a distinctive intonation inspired by a wealth of legendary song stylists and balladeers like George Benson, Bill Withers, Donny Hathaway and Nina Simone. Well-known and respected for his collaborations with national and international musicians, Waipara’s 2009 album ‘Sir Plus & the Requirements’ is a beautifully crafted work that successfully straddles 50s pop and 70s soul, and which plays host to a fictional character called “Sir Plus”, the long lost Polynesian cousin of Sergeant Pepper.
Award-winning Maori singer/songwriter Maisey Rika has one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most impressive lead vocal styles, fused with her honest and thought-provoking messages. Her debut full-length album ‘Tohu’ was released earlier this year to critical acclaim, and saw her take home the ‘Best Female Solo Artist’ award at the recent Waiata Maori Music Awards, following a nomination for a Maioha award in the 2009 APRA Silver Scroll song writing competition.
Together these artists promise a night of beautifully expressive songs and musicianship. The Tama Waipara & Maisey Rika "Tahi Tour" will see each of them perform an acoustic set of songs from their respective albums along with duets written especially for the tour, special guests and full band accompaniment at selected venues.
See two of New Zealand’s most exciting Maori voices in a town near you this February.