Jazz diva Whirimako Black takes centre stage

youtube black

Aotearoa’s own ‘home-grown’ award-winning singer, songwriter and artist, Whirimako Black is set to take centre stage at the Matariki Starlight Jazz fundraising concert, being held at Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.

Of Ngāti Tuhoe, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Ranginui, Kahungunu, Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Te Arawa, and Ngāti Awa descent, New Zealand Māori recording artist and actress Whirimako Black, MNZM has performed all around the world on numerous projects including the internationally successful One Giant Leap Album celebrating cultural diversity.

An award-winning singer/songwriter and artist renowned for her remarkable voice and the ability to reach into ‘the heart of a song’, Whirimako’s rendition of jazz standards in Maori and English are transformational and as smooth as velvet!

Her debut album Hine pukohurangi: Shrouded in the Mist achieved Best Maori Language Album at the NZ Music Awards in 2001.  In 2008 Whirimako’s Sings album saw her step up to receive a Tui Award for Best Jazz Album at the NZ Music Awards. 2011 saw the release of The Late Night Plays album featuring jazz and blues standards sung in English, followed by the 2012 album release of Soul Sessions – jazz standards sung in Te Reo Māori.

Her musical achievements include composing and singing the titles for the acclaimed Television New Zealand series ‘The New Zealand Wars’.  She has featured on numerous collaboration albums alongside some of world music’s biggest names, and many of Aotearoa’s iconic musicians

‘Matariki Starlight Jazz Concert’ takes to the stage on Saturday 21 July at Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral.  This fundraising event blends both Pakeha and Māori artists together in an exciting programme of music sung in Te Reo Māori and English.

Tickets available from iTicket.