Singing the praises of a New Zealand Icon
New Zealand International Arts Festival
Media Release 2 November 2005
A man of huge mana, acclaimed New Zealand poet Hone Tuwhare's work is being celebrated in a unique concert by top recording artists from around Aotearoa who bring music to his words.
"I am delighted after the success of Baxter that Charlotte and Toi Maori thought to bring Tuwhare to us. It joins my favourite New Zealand poet with some of the musicians I love," says Carla van Zon, the Festival's Artistic Director.
From Hinemoana Baker to Te Kupu (Dean Hapeta of Upper Hutt Posse), WAI to Goldenhorse, twelve recording artists transform Tuwhare's words into lyrics for songs that cover a wide range of styles, capturing the diversity in both his writing and New Zealand music.
The musicians' poignant interpretations range in form from rock, pop, reggae, hip hop and electronica through to traditional Maori works.
Each poem is moulded to the artist's characteristic style , Don McGlashan (The Front Lawn, Mutton Birds) uses euphonium and piano to interpret the moody "Rain", while strawpeople "could easily count its contribution...among its finer moments" (Otago Daily Times). Mahinarangi Tocker, Dallas Tamaira (Fat Freddy's Drop), Graham Brazier and Hone Hurihanganui also lend their unique voices to this project.
"Whirimako Black's voice can almost bring tears to your eyes, while Charlotte Yates turns Tuwhare's words into an effortless pop vocal hook in the almost Fur Patrol sounding Mad." (nzmusic.com)
This 80-minute journey into the heart of New Zealand arts and culture, sponsored by The Dominion Post with support from Smokefree Arts, will be performed at the Wellington Town Hall in three cabaret-style performances that will be narrated by George Henare.
Tuwhare is directed by Wellington-based musician Charlotte Yates, who produced the sell-out season of Baxter for the 2000 Festival, a concert which applied the same concept to the poetry of James K Baxter.
After the success of the Baxter project Yates was, commissioned by Toi Maori Aotearoa, to produce a CD that celebrated the poetry of Hone Tuhware. The CD, released during New Zealand Music Month early this year, received rave reviews. Now, the same set of contemporary New Zealand musicians who played on the Tuwhare CD come together to present this uplifting musical tribute, live. The concert is a co-production of Toi Maori Aotearoa and the New Zealand International Arts Festival.
A culmination of New Zealand art, culture and heritage, Tuwhare pays homage to one of our greatest living artists.
Download Tuwhare TV Commercials (15 seconds duration each)
Click here to download TVC 1 (1.1MB, WMV format)
Click here to download TVC 2 (1.1MB, WMV format)
Further information on Hone Tuwhare:
Hone Tuwhare's writing has been celebrated with numerous accolades ranging from two honorary doctorates, courtesy of the University of Otago and University of Auckland, to receiving one of the inaugural Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement in 2003. In 2002 his collection of poems Piggy-back Moon won the Poetry category of the Montana Book Awards. Hone Tuwhare was also named as an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Artist in 2003.
The revered poet, playwright and author of short fiction was born in Kaikohe in 1922 into Nga Puhi hapu Ngati Korokoro, Ngati Tautahi, Te Popoto, Uri-o-ha). He was the first Maori poet to have his work published in English with No Ordinary Sun in 1964. Hone Tuwhare currently resides in Kaka Point , South Otago.
"Hone is recognised as bringing an exciting new dimension to New Zealand poetry: his voice communicates a distinctly Maori perspective marked by a lyrical response to the landscape. His work has remained committed to Maori issues, though it also highlights multicultural and working-class concerns, sumesting a world of shifting, multiple identities." (Arts Foundation of New Zealand)
Further information on Charlotte Yates:
Charlotte Yates is a recording artist, who has released four albums of her own material on Jayrem Records; Queen Charlotte Sounds, released 1991; The Desire and the Contempt, 1997; Dead Fish Beach, 2001; Plainsong, 2003. Charlotte was the artist-in-residence at the Christchurch Arts Centre during April/May 2002 where she concentrated on songwriting and guitar performance. She has toured extensively with fellow singer/songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker and a live album of their concerts, Touring, was released September 2002.
She has had a long association with the Festival: in 1992 she was the Out & About Schools Coordinator, in 1994 she performed in When the Cat's Been Spayed and in 2000 she directed Baxter.
Spending three years in Melbourne, Charlotte directed the '93 and '94 Melbourne Fringe Arts Festivals and in 1995 she studied Contemporary Music Technology and Composition at La Trobe University, Melbourne.
Performance Dates:
Sat 11 , Mon 13 March, 8.30pm, Town Hall, Wellington
Praise for Tuwhare:
"...a fantastic document of not only New Zealand music but also New Zealand art and culture." nzmusic.com
For further information, high res images or to arrange interviews please contact:
Andrea Tandy. Publicity, New Zealand International Arts Festival
Ph: 04 473 0149 x 253,
Mob: 027 276 2622
Email: andrea.tandy@festival.co.nz
New Zealand International Arts Festival
Charlotte Yates
Purchase the Tuwhare CD on smokecds.com
Listen to the Tuwhare CD on smokecds.com