Maori Music Expo

PRESS RELEASE 4
Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Maori Music Expo

Rising Maori singer Majic Paora and Nesian Mystick lead singer Te Awanui Reeder will be two of the guest speakers to feature at this year’s Maori Music Expo, being held as part of the 5th annual National Waiata Maori Music Awards in Hawke’s Bay in September.

Majic Paora, 16, was a guest performer at the Waiata Maori Music Awards last year. She has recently returned from recording a new album in Jamaica, at Tuffg Gong Studios in Kingston, and is looking forward to releasing the debut work at this year’s awards, at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings.

The young singer from Northland, working in the roots hop reggae genre, has named the debut album, Com’n To a Town Near You.

““Reggae music is rebel music with love as its binding principle and roots (culture) as its foundation. That's why I chose this genre.”

Majic is expected to talk to the expo audience about her experiences recording the album overseas and what it takes to write and record songs.

Hip-hop R’n’B band Nesian Mystik formed in 1999 bringing together performers of Cook Island, Tongan, Samoan and Maori ancestry. The group announced its farewell tour in July 2010, performing live for fans for the last time in March 2011.

The band’s lead signer Te Awanui Reeder will be at this year’s Maori Music Expo to talk about life after Nesian Mystik and recent music projects he’s been involved with over the past couple of years.

The expo will also include the National Maori Hand Games reviving the classics such as Whai (string game), Hei Tama Tu Tama and Whakaropiropi ai.

There will also be music industry representatives from the New Zealand Music Commission, APRA, Te Mangai Paho and Toi Maori who will be available to give advice for those looking for a career in music.

Hawke’s Bay’s best primary and secondary school kapa haka groups will also perform at the expo to keep the audience entertained while there will be workshops focusing on traditional Maori music instruments, such as taonga puoro and more contemporary versions of the ukulele.

The Maori Music Expo will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House plaza from Thursday, September 13, 9am to 2.30pm, and Friday, September 14, 9am to 1pm.

For a full programme or more information contact Joe-anne Walters on 027 276 9201.

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