Outstanding acts for next year - Arts On Tour NZ 2015

For immediate release

AOTNZ 2015 programme –Jews Brothers Band, Bella Kalolo, Sir Jon Trimmer and more….

Now entering its 31st year, Arts On Tour NZ is proud of touring some of the country’s best performers to the smaller centres of the country. This year, AOTNZ is particularly pleased with its line-up.

Seasoned performers such as the Jews Brothers Band, Charlotte Yates, Helen Moulder, Sir Jon Trimmer, Helen Webby and Davy Stuart all take their turn, along with the stunning Bella Kalolo Band, John and Amiria Grenell, and 2014 country music winning duo, Into the East. Intriguing performances can also be expected from Miho’s Jazz Orchestra and Trick of the Light Theatre Company (The Bookbinder).

See snapshots of next year’s itinerary below and on the Arts On Tour website www.aotnz.co.nz

AOTNZ 2015 Itinerary

February - Into the East

Into the East’s Liv McBride and Graeme Woller are Invercargill based, now taking on Australasia

2014 National Country Music Award Duo of the Year, 2014 Southland Band of the Year

Nominated - 2014 Best NZ Folk Album for ‘Fight from the Inside’; nominated – 2014 Taite Music Prize

“Think Fairpoint Convention taking Neil Young’s music apart and building something new with the bones of Sheryl Crow.” (NZ Musician)

March - Bella Kalolo Band

Combining her Samoan, Tongan and Maori (Ngati Porou) heritage, Christchurch born soul singer Bella Kalolo has travelled the world with her music, winning accolades at the Glastonbury and City of London festivals, and recently sang with the legendary Chaka Khan at the 2014 Sydney Festival. She was awarded Best Female Vocalist at the 2012 Pacific Music Awards, and was a finalist again in 2014.

April - The Jews Brothers Band

JBB’s ace saxophonist, who recently lost his arm to cancer, will ’ride again’ with this much loved ‘klezmer’ cult band, playing his specially made one-handed tenor sax, the only one on the planet!

“…messy, loose as a goose, over the top and simply wonderful…Jewish grunge on a roll.” Real Groove Magazine

May – Meeting Karpovsky with Helen Moulder and Sir Jon Trimmer

Living alone in a house filled with photographs of her favourite dancer, Sylvia knows all the dance moves in her head, but is afraid to step out. One day the great dancer, Alexander Karpovsky turns up mysteriously and breaks though her brittle cocoon. In Meeting Karpovsky, Helen Moulder and Sir Jon Trimmer reprise their award winning performance.

“Pure magic. Together they are magnificent.” NZ Listener

June - Charlotte Yates and Gil Eva Craig with Rob Thorne

In the first half of the show, Rob Thorne uses modern loop technology and traditional Maori music instruments to create a transcendent aural experience. In the second half, singer song writer and APRA Silver Scroll finalist Charlotte Yates (When the Cat’s Been Spayed) is joined by award winning sound designer, multi-instrumentalist and co-producer Gil Eva Craig to perform songs from Charlotte’s latest album Archipelago and others.

July - The Bookbinder with Trick of the Light Theatre Company

Fresh from a clean sweep at the NZ Fringe Awards (Best Theatre, Best in the Fringe and the Tiki Tour Ready Award) The Bookbinder is an original NZ fairy tale for curious children and adventurous adults.

September – String Wizardry with Helen Webby and Davy Stuart

Take the top Celtic harpist in New Zealand and add one of NZ’s best Celtic accompanists on guitar and bouzouki and you have string wizardry, pure Celtic magic. With the easy rapport that comes from 14 years of playing together, including previous tours with Chamber Music NZ and AOTNZ, Helen Webby and Davy Stuart perform from a wide repertoire of Irish and Scottish music to contemporary compositions.

October – John and Amiria Grenell

After a stroke that impaired his vision but did not affect his voice, country music legend John Grenell returns to the stage with his youngest daughter, the highly regarded singer song writer and recording artist, Amiria, whose album Three Feathers won best folk album in the Tui NZ 2012 music awards. Expect honesty and charm.

November – Miho’s Jazz Orchestra

Described as one of the most entertaining jazz acts in New Zealand, Miho Wada and her pocket sized orchestra seamlessly blend stylish contemporary jazz with Afro-Cuban and Pan Pacific flavours. A highly proficient flute and sax player in her own right, Miho has performed internationally with Nigel Kennedy, Iggy Pop and members of the Buena Vista Social Club. Expect happy groovy music.

About Arts On Tour New Zealand

Arts On Tour New Zealand (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and other talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel in the distinctive AOTNZ bus to entertain their audiences, relieving rural dwellers the chore of clocking up kilometres to travel to the big towns for their culture. AOTNZ also thanks Interislander for support.

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