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Darcy Perry Band and Sista Jacqui (Chicago)

Bluesman Darcy Perry and Gospel singer Sista Jacqui bring a tour de force of soul music to Mission Bay Streetfest 2011.

 Darcy Perry is renowned for his live shows, performing with passion, intensity and a ferocious band. With two decades on the road and five albums, Darcy Perry has established himself as one of New Zealand’s premier blues artists and a rising star on the international festival circuit.

 Jacqui is from Chicago, (Country Club Hills) Illinois in the USA. She has shared her gift on the mainland and internationally. Her extraordinary vocal talent has earned her the title “World Class Singer”.  

 Together they have amazed audiences all over the country. Performing with an all-star band, these two are guaranteed to wake up and shake up the people.
Shez Raja Collective

All the way from London, UK, dynamic bass player Shez Raja performs tracks from his acclaimed third album Mystic Radikal (featuring international jazz stars Andy Sheppard and Claude Deppa).

 Expect exciting music that evokes all of the emotions, a mix of euphoric jazz, thundering funk, lyrical ballads and intoxicating grooves. Eastern flavours permeate alongside African, reggae and Latin sounds in a fast-paced set.

The live show is an eclectic head-charge of raw energy.


Sacha Vee

Fresh from her successful 2010, self-titled, debut EP release, Dutch/West Indian neo- soul artist SACHA VEE is a distinctive vocalist making waves in the NZ music scene. Her debut EP was recently rated as one of the 'Best Kiwi Albums of 2010' by the Wakaito Times. Alongside soulful collaborations with Pacific Heights and Benny Tones Sacha Vee has performed at many of NZ's favorite festivals.


Last year she opened for Shapeshifter with Sunshine Sound System and more recently for Hollie Smith. Sacha Vee is being hyped as the new big thing in the music scene…don’t miss out in seeing her and her talented band; Darren Mathissasen (Hollie Smith), Tyson Smith (Hollie Smith) and Jo Barus (Dukes & Dave Dobbyn)
Chloe Bartlett

 Chloe Bartlett is an Auckland-based artist whose music has a depth to it which belies her 22 years. After mastering chopsticks on the piano at the age of five, songwriting at 11 seemed like the obvious next step. Her first attempt featured lyrics deemed too controversial to be inflicted on the general public by her worried parents, but nevertheless sparked what would become her key passion for the next decade.  

 

A string of gigs in recent times have kept her busy, with highlights including a featured set on Juice TV’s Kiwi Artist Showcase, a sold-out debut concert, opening for Air New Zealand Fashion Week and most recently opening for Miss World 2010. Early 2011 will hold the release of her first single and video. 
Blutopia

 

What happens when 10 accomplished NZ musicians get together and play the blues? Blutopia, NZ's premier big blues band with a powerful 5 piece horn section puts polish, class and a whole bunch of shabang into some classic New Orleans blues and blues boogie tunes that we know and love. 

 

The band began in Christchurch under the leadership of Malcolm Bishop who moved to Auckland in 2010 reforming a bigger Blutopia. The band launched in September over two extremely successful evenings. Now they're looking forward to an extremely busy 2011. The new Blutopia is a must see.


Midnight Blues Band

Formed in 2007, The Midnight Blues Band have consistently delivered to their fan base raunchy, raw and hot  blues.

Their diverse sets are anything but the strict blues formula – covering classic British blues and rock pieces through from Robert Johnson, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Fleetwood Mac and BB King with energy and most of all passion.  They don’t play Rock - they rock the blues.

The Midnight Blues Band play regular live gigs in Auckland and performed at the Mission Bay Jazz and Blues Festival in 2008 and Blues, Brews and BBQs at Mt Maunganui in 2010.   They’ve been working on their debut studio album this year and a live DVD of their performance from the Blues, Brews and BBQ’s festival and a live CD will be released early in 2011.  The guys are hoping to grow on the success of their 'in your Network’ self produced EP. 

Good Oil

“Good Oil” plays a mix of well-known Jazz, Blues and Easy listening classics including Sinatra, Bacharach, Diana Krall, Melody Gardot, Michael Bubble and their own exciting original songs. They are sure to entertain and get your feet tapping!

 

Their motto:

Listen to the smooth flow of …“Good Oil” reflects their style and their love of music, wine, entertaining and enjoying the moment.

 

“Good Oil” released their first CD this year, “Shallow Waters”, featuring all original songs, which has received fantastic reviews from their peers and fans. “Good Oil” are now working on their next eagerly awaited CD and will be playing these songs and many more at this year’s Mission Bay Jazz & Blues Streetfest. There will of course be “Good Oil” merchandise, CD’s and T-shirts available for purchase.

 

Come and join them at the Mission Bay Jazz & Blues Streetfest 2011… it’s going to be the best ever… and remember…  listen to the smooth flow of…”GOOD OIL”
Trudy Lile and Mojave

Trudy Lile and Mojave are a sophisticated yet versatile package; contemporary jazz quartet exploring jazz, Latin, lounge and other energetic grooves. The music delivered in a fresh contemporary jazz style, with a hint of samba, a dash of salsa, a dollop of reggae, and a generous serving of bossa nova, funk and a side order of delicious harmony.

 

Trudy Lile is a jazz flutist and vocalist based in Auckland, who has been seen entertaining audiences around New Zealand at jazz festivals from Whangarei to Queenstown and plays with a quartet of some of New Zealand's finest jazz musicians. She has performed as soloist with the The Sisters Of Swing, Jazz Divas, the Rodger Fox Big Band, New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra and in the Massey University Masters and their Music series. In addition she has recorded in many musical genres; from The Jazz Divas, The Rodger Fox Big Band, Whirimako Black, Andrew Atwill, Ishtar, Black Sand Diva, Dave Gibson, Jon Sanders to KIng Kapisi!
The Masque Quintet

The Masque Quintet performs a variety of instrumental and vocal jazz as well as a variety of jazz fusion repertoire. The group have performed for Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, His Highness Tupua Tamasese, The FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup Opening Gala, Headlined the Samoan Teuila Festival Jazz evening as well as many weddings, corporate events, private functions and many more. The Quintet is led by Opeloge Ah Sam who established the group 5 years ago. For more information about the Quintet go to www.opelogeahsam.com . The Quintet have an upcoming CD release of 2 tracks written by Opeloge Ah Sam called SAY I & SO I KNOW.
Banda Latina

Few dance bands enjoy the awesome feeling of a full dance floor from the very first song. Banda Latina are: energetic, exotic, passionate, in a few words: an unforgettable experience.

The six piece group features EDUARDO on lead vocals and Peruvian vocalist-musicians providing the rhythmic chorus while playing instruments that include a lineup of congas, bongos, Latin timbales, drums, huiro, campana (cowbell) and maracas. Performing music from the romantic Bolero and swinging Bachata, to the lively rhythms of salsa, cumbia and merengue, the exotic Latin American sound is enhanced by co-ordinated dance steps from band members.

 BANDA LATINA will have even the most dedicated NON-party person joining the fun. They are good looking, exotic and guarantee a lively night.

Frank Gibson Quintet with guests Chantelle Duncan and Gregory Heath (UK)


Frank has had a vast career which has taken him around the world. He is recognised in the international Jazz community as an icon and fantastic player. He is one musician who could play with any jazz group in the world and has shown his ability to play in any genre. All of this has given Frank a very successful career. His CV reads like the “Who’s Who” of jazz and he has played with many artists from Frank Foster, Anita O’Day, John Scofield, Joe Henderson to Sam Rivers. He has played across musical genres with a wide variety of artists from Shona Lang, Leo Sayer, Dusty Springfield to Diana Krall. He has played on over 200 CDs/albums, on over 250 radio programmes (UK, Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand), won Jazz record of the year 3 times, played on 10 other award winning albums, and in 1983 was inducted into the Zildjian hall of fame.

http://www.frankgibson.co.nz


    Gregory Heath
(Composition, Production, Saxophones, Flute.) Greg is Co-founder and Musical Director for London’s premiere Burlesque Cabaret evening “ The Flash Monkey presents Burlesque Bazaar” He is also a member of the "All Stars Collective" comprising some of Britain’s finest touring and session musicians. Originally from New Zealand and now resident in the UK Greg has toured and recorded with a diverse range of artists both in the Jazz and Pop idioms including prominent UK jazz artists such as: Jim Mullen, John Etheridge, Darius Campbell and The History of the Big Bands, The Meier Group and Coup d’Etat. Pop artists include: Jocelyn Brown, Terence Trent D’Arby, Van Morrison, Omar, James Hunter, Curiosity, Stereo MC’s, Marrianne Faithful, Joan Armatrading, Ultramarine, Dave Mc Almont, Jimmy Ruffin, Jimmy Nail, Hamish Stewart (AWB). Geno Washington. Ilham Al Madfai.   

http://www.myspace.com/gregheathsax


   Chantelle Duncan

Chantelle Duncan is a wonderful soul/funk/jazz singer originally from Pittinweem in Scotland and now based in London, sometimes described as a Celtic Eve Cassidy. She has worked with Alexander O’Neil, ABC, Melanie C, Jamelia, Joss Stone, Bonnie Tyler & Nerina Pallot. A Previous winner of the Blackfriars Young Jazz Soloist of the Year title, Chantelle has performed all over the world in a vast range of genres, most recently with renowned world music band Berakah.  She also sings regularly for radio, television & film.

Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes

Caught half way between a beat and a gent and bursting at the seams with debonair charm, the singing sensation Sal Valentine is gaining a reputation for being able to pack any dance floor anytime, anywhere. Sal has demonstrated his ability to get young and old up on their feet and grooving to a high energy mix of Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Jump.

Backing Sal at every date is Auckland's number one band The Babyshakes'.a hard hitting nine piece ensemble engineered to blow you out of the water. If you don’t get it from Sal Valentine and The Babyshakes, you ain’t gettin’ it no place else, Yadig?
Los Diablos

Auckland’s finest blues trio was formed in 2006, with the current line-up performing since 2007. Founded by lead singer/guitarist Phil Roberts, the early life of the band had more than it’s fair share of ups and downs with hirings, firings, a broken arm, a stuffed knee, a broken foot and a keyboard player who didn’t turn up to a gig and was never seen again. This was dubbed the “Los Diablos curse”, since the name means The Devils in Spanish.

 

The curse aside, Los Diablos were soon playing blistering performances, helped along by blues promoter Dean Morris who said of their first gig “It was awesome! They had a great sound and I took my hat off to them, it showed that they had spent a lot of time on the detail and getting it just right.”

 

June 08 saw the fellas back British delta blues player Dave Boy Ferry for his New Zealand gigs and in September they were joined by 60s legend: former Procol Harum guitarist Dave Ball for an explosive night of classic tunes and traded licks. Influences include: Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The fellas penned around 10 original songs last year, others are waiting to be recorded.
Queen City Big Band

The Queen City Big Band presents swing music from the stars of the big band era like Duke Ellington, Glen Millar and Count Basie, right through to music composed by contemporary jazz artists such as Tom Kubis, Bob Florence, Gordon Goodwin as well as R&B, rock n roll and pop music.
 
Although the band's players are unpaid, a professional standard is expected and maintained under the leadership of John Callesen. Queen City Big Band develops the skills and character of young people and adds to the diversity and richness of the arts & culture in Auckland City.
The Usmani Collective

 "The Usmani Collective" is a group of musicians led by Adam Usmani (vocalist, songwriter) and complemented with classical and jazz violin from his wife Coralie  Usmani, electrifying and infectious grooves from guitarist Andrea Groenewald, and a rocking rhythm section courtesy of Ross Larsen (Bass) and Lenny Church (drums).

Pumping out a mix of original tunes, instrumental meanderings and funky dance beats they are ready to entertain and inspire.

Check out the website for footage from the 2010 Mission Bay Jazz and Blues Festival at: www.theusmanicollective.com

This is what people have been saying about The Usmani Collective:

“Very entertaining and inspiring” Arif Usmani

“The Soothsayer of Soul Returns” Anonymous




Miho Wada

Miho Wada is a well established multi-instrumentalist from Japan/New Zealand. After she completed her studies at Burnside High School and the University of Canterbury she furthered her studies in London and Cuba.

 

She has performed world-wide touring with many groups, which have included performances at WOMAD festivals, the Havana International Jazz Festival (Cuba) and the Tanja Latina Festival (Morocco). She has recently worked with Iggy Pop for Orcon's project to re-record "The Passenger" in which she played the flute and piano.

 

This is Miho's brand new Japanese Punk Jazz (J-PJ) band where she combines her talents and musical/cultural experiences. Miho sings her songs with quirky lyrics in English and Japanese as well as improvising on flute and saxophone. She is accompanied by the guitar, bass and drums, creating a unique mix of rock/punk/jazz/funk and contemporary world music. Their fine musicianship and explosive instrumental solos create a dynamic atmosphere that flows from the stage.
The Recliner Rockers

The Recliner Rockers play a mixture of rootsy Blues and Rockabilly with a dash of Psychedelic spice thrown in. Expect a flying double bass called “Mr Horse”, ably ridden by Geoff Fitzpatrick, machine gun guitar toted by Al Lavis and R18 drumming courtesy of Kerry Fraser. These boys are possibly the busiest festival band in the country at the moment.



The Recliner Rockers have left a trail of broken strings, sticks and wounded animals from Invercargill to Paihia. Be warned.
Brilleaux

Brilleaux play high-energy, hard, driving, British-style rhythm and blues in the style of bands such as Dr Feelgood and Wilko Johnson, and in a similar vein to earlier exponents of the genre such as The Pretty Things, Early Rolling Stones and Johnny Kid and the Pirates.


A typical set by Brilleaux consists of a mixture of R&B Classics and exciting original material that these masters of Rhythm and Blues have been performing at festivals around the country since 1999. Brilleaux have 4 albums to their credit, the latest of which is Live at the Coliseum, recorded just prior to Easter, 2007.


There is nobody in the country playing R&B like these guys. It is unique, refreshing and extremely lively. If you are looking for slow, cruisey, relaxing renditions of old blues classics then you have got the wrong band! These guys go from 0-100 mph in the first set - Ladies and gentlemen, Stack the chairs, and clear the dancefloor - Welcome to the Brilleaux Show - maximum R&B.
The Chris Mason-Battley Group

Fusing diverse influences from funk to free jazz to world music, the Chris Mason-Battley Group create innovative modern jazz with a distinctive New Zealand flavour.

 

Their musical influences include artists such as Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek.

 

Their debut album Karakia was a finalist in the Jazz Album category of the 2000 New Zealand Music Awards. The album has also been very well received internationally with over a million Internet downloads of their songs to date. For the year 2000 they were the most successful New Zealand group and one of the top 25 artists on the music website MP3.com, earning over US$20,000 from music royalties. Their music has been utilized in short films, multimedia projects and compilation albums.
Riverhead Slide

Riverhead Slide is one of New Zealand's most experienced and authentic blues bands. This hard working sextet is favorites at Jazz and Blues festivals around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

 Songwriter/vocalists Steve Wigz and Gael Ludlow front Riverhead Slide with their own brand of edgy originals and blues standards.

The band features slide guitar (Wigz), lead guitar (Nigel Major), keyboard (Mike Jensen) and the tight backline - Murray Finer on bass and Paul Dunningham on drums.