Diverse musical programme marks 2011 Festival of Colour

Diverse musical programme marks 2011 Festival of Colour

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (March 7, 2011) – A strong musical programme featuring some of New Zealand’s most preeminent musicians, marks the fourth Festival of Colour. The diverse programme, which features pop/rock, jazz, classical, Pacific and cabaret, also introduces Belgian singer, Micheline van Hautem, with her strong, smouldering versions of Jacques Brel’s poetry with a passion that will not easily be forgotten.

Some of New Zealand’s top musicians have combined to form The Bellbirds. The soulful emotional voice of Sandy Miller, Don McGlashan’s powerful vocal, Victoria Kelly’s spellbinding keyboards and Sean Donnelly’s guitar and bass combine to produce a show that is sure to capture the imagination of their audience with its ‘60s baroque pop sensibility combined with bittersweet lyrics.

The islands come to Wanaka with the wonderfully tropical sound from Christchurch-based Pacific Underground. Their show, Island Summer, is dedicated to the first wave of Pacific immigrants who settled in the 1960s, giving the old songs and island ballads a contemporary spin.

The Phoenix Foundation need no introduction and are playing the Festival off the back of a highly successful European tour. Named best group in the 2010 Vodafone NZ Music Awards, they are one of New Zealand’s most innovative and respected bands.

Renowned in the film industry for their movie soundtracks, Songs of Kurt Weill are ‘moonlighting’ at the Festival with their own gig. Promising a dramatic night of cabaret from some of the country’s most versatile and innovative talent, this Wellington-based group give a voice to the bittersweet tales of theatre composer, Kurt Weill.

Ana Coddington is one of New Zealand’s foremost heroines of independent pop music and she comes to the Festival with her new album, Cat and Bird, fresh off the press. She is backed by a stand-out band that includes Riki Gooch, Mike Hall, Ned Ngatae and LA Mitchell, promising a stunning evening of contemporary New Zealand music.

The programme takes a classical turn with the award-winning Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir. Led by Dr Karen Grylls, the choir presents a programme, Autumn Landscapes, compiled specially for the Festival of Colour and featuring works from Brahms to Gareth Farr.

Leading New Zealand pianist, Michael Houstoun, has played at every Festival of Colour and 2011 is no different. However, this year he edges out from the classical tradition of which he is a master and plays music with a strong jazz influence by great jazz pianist Nikolai Kapustin in Jazzing It Up.

The Festival of Colour takes place from 12-17 April 2011 and is generously supported by Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Creative New Zealand and Aurora. For further information and ticket sales visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz

ENDS

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