Kiwi Singer Brings Brooklyn to the Beach

For Immediate Release
17 May 2005

Kiwi Singer Brings Brooklyn to the Beach

“Tama is one of the most powerful and moving singers I’ve heard anywhere”
Nathan Haines
“Sophisticated songs and soaring vocals from a man who knows his roots”
Time Out New York

A triumphant return home to New Zealand after eight years in New York sees singer/songwriter, Tama Waipara, release his much awaited EP “Leaving Paradise” this month.

Waipara is an emerging singer/songwriter who has performed the world over. Awarded a Masters degree in clarinet from New York’s prestigious Manhattan School of Music Tama was forced to turn his attention to singing after a fuse box fell on his head and he had to temporarily give up the clarinet.

Turns out Tama’s vocal skills were the real knock out and he was quickly signed by US label, Obliqsound (Lionel Loueke, Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers and many more).

In 2004, Tama released his debut album, “Triumph of Time” and shortly after landed a much sought after spot at New York’s famous Central Park Summerstage. This was followed by a highly successful European tour in the same year.

The six-track EP Leaving Paradise was recorded in New York and New Zealand and is a soulful and gutsy reflection of Tama’s unique and unlikely journey. In Tama’s words, it has the “dirt and edge of Brooklyn, and the heart of a Coastie”. Leaving Paradise features collaborations with New Zealand artists Nathan Haines and Godfrey De Grut (Elemeno P) and J Record’s newest discovery Emily King, who is currently touring with John Legend in the US and has collaborated with NaS, Floetry, Common, Q-Tip and Gnarls Barkley to name a few. The EP was mastered in New York by Allan Tucker (Cibo Matto, Joe Henderson, John Coltrane) and was recorded at Brooklyn’s Bunker Studio’s with fellow kiwi, Aaron Nevezie.

Since returning to New Zealand in 2006 Tama has been touring and recording with Nathan Haines as well as performing his own sell-out show at the Auckland Festival, AK07. Tama also performed alongside the legendary Annie Crummer in the Famous Spiegeltent. He wrote the music for Oliver Driver’s sell-out show “Based on Auckland” as well as writing the music for ESPN/ PBS feature “Polynesian Power” which aired recently in the US.
“Triumph of the senses”
Blues and Soul, UK

“Evoked memories of Peter Gabriel, Ben Sidrian and Chet Baker all at once”
Ink 19, USA
Upcoming performances include:
May 27th Silo Theatre Sessions - Silo Theatre, Auckland. Acoustic set
June 3rd EP Launch at Leigh Sawmill Café, Leigh with special guest, Nathan Haines
June 25th Dirty Laundry Series, Matterhorn, Wellington. Acoustic set with Jeremy Taylor
June 28th Matariki celebrations, Te Papa, Wellington.

ends

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