CD Releases: June 2004 updated:23/06/2004

 

NAIROBI TRIO Safari CD
(Nairobi Trio)
File Under: Nairobi Trio / Jazz / NZ Music
NTCD5
Since their inception in 1989 the Nairobi Trio have become New Zealand's favourite jazz entertainers, touring regularly throughout the world, appearing at major festivals in New Zealand, the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia. Now in their 15th year together, Nairobi Trio are more passionate about their music than ever. They have released a total of seven albums together. On tour Nairobi Trio perform as a quartet. With the inclusion of Andrew Dixon on saxophones/ flute/ vocals, the trio line-up of Richard Adams (Violin/ vocals), John Quigley (Guitar/ vocals) and Peter Koopman (Bass/ vocals) take you on a musical journey, in a show packed with some real gems. The performance is contagious, expressive, and much of it spontaneously improvised. The program includes a selection of jazz standards re-worked by the group, however Nairobi Trio are perhaps best known for their skilfully crafted original pieces, many of which evoke images of New Zealand's geographic beauty and cultural diversity. Safari, the latest CD from Nairobi Trio, is a collection of original tunes. The group explore a range of musical genres, taking you on a journey from the Scottish Highlands through the Caribbean to New Orleans and back to New Zealand. Nairobi Trio are one of New Zealand’s most respected Jazz combos. They are continually on tour, their shows are most often sold out - and their CDs sell well!

Nairobi Trio Dates

MAY (completed)

  • 20th, Christchurch Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
  • 21st, Nelson Nelson School of Music
  • 22nd, Blenheim The Boathouse Theatre
  • 23rd, Kaikoura Kaikoura Winery
  • 24th, Greymouth Regent Theatre
  • 25th, Wanaka Wanaka Community Centre
  • 26th, Queenstown Sky Alpine Casino
  • 27th, Invercargill Legends Bar
  • 28th, Gore Gore Little Theatre
  • 30th, Dunedin Dunedin Public Art Gallery
  • 31th, Geraldine Easyway Cafe

June

  • 16th, Whangarei Killer Prawn
  • 17th, Kerikeri Citrus Bar
  • 18th, Omapere Omapere Tourist Hotel
  • 21st, New Plymouth The Devon Hotel
  • 22nd, Wanganui The Commercial Club (Tickets From Royal Wanganui Opera House)
  • 23rd, Palmerston North Regent on Broadway (Book at the Theatre or TicketDirect)
  • 24th, Wellington Old St Pauls (Book at Ticketek)
  • 25th, Martinborough Martinborough Wine Centre
  • 26th, Napier Church Rd Winery
  • 27th, Whakatane Whakatane Baptist Church (2pm show)
  • 27th, Tauranga 16th Ave Repertory Theatre

also available:

Absolutely!

"Variously a swinging and supple set, this was recorded live at jazz festivals in Norway last year. It features as centrepieces the romantic seven-minute original Portugal, in which the music dissolves down to Peter Koopman's bass before Richard Adam's violin emerges to parry with Andrew Dixon's weaving sax, and a treatment of Charlie Chaplin's ballad Smile. Longtime followers will have other versions of some of these tracks but there's also Dixon's new, lightly funky Blue Mamba delivered over a bed of effects and wah-wah from guitarist John Quigley. And the Quigley/Adams discreetly Celtic composition Firth of Forth is always worth re-hearing. " 20.06.2002 - By Graham Reid (Herald rating: ***)

Standards

It is an album of jazz standards performed in the distinctive Nairobi Trio style, classy playing, four-part vocal harmonies, and plenty of good humour. Standards was captured on digital tape at John's house in Auckland, New Zealand in a single recording session. The short time taken gives the album a relaxed, live feel that audiences worldwide have come to enjoy from the group's live concerts.

Live at the McDonald Winery

Recorded live at Montana Wines' McDonald Winery in Hawkes Bay on the East Coast of New Zealand.

"The key word here is "live" because that's how this four-piece "trio" (occasionally expanding to a quartet) is best appreciated. Here the keening melodic violin of Richard Adams, the mesmerisingly inventive guitar of Nigel Gavin and the secure rhythm section of guitarist John Quigley and bassist Peter Koopman spiral through material which owes less and less to the Django/Grappelli sound they established their reputation with. Gavin's three originals are among the standouts, the collection shifts from avant-guitar and skittering fiddle to straight-ahead swing and, as always, the vocals are an acquired taste. Still, the live energy carries all before it and the release of this couldn't be more timely." NZ Herald Feb 1998 ****

Shelf Life

"Nairobi Trio are an unsung success story of New Zealand music, having garnered fans and acclaim from around the world. Their sound is an eclectic mix of acoustic styles. Double bass, fiddle and twin guitars blend and battle to create the Trio's own brand of very accessible jazz.

Shelf Life is their third album, and their first of completely original music which shows off their passion and flair. Eight of the 11 tracks are completely acoustic, but all manage to convey a certain New Zealand quality, vis a vis the evocative Bluff Wisdom, with its opening violin seagull cries and bass foghorn effects.

Evocative is a fair description of the Trio's music. Punters who recently saw the band described being carried away to exotic locales by a performance as faultless as you'd expect from such experienced talents. If it's quirky, mellow jazz you're after, then Shelf Life is worth a look." Ken Lewis, The Strip, December 1996.

Through the Clouds

"This is a good album;a very good album. Any number of its 13 tracks should easily find airplay on MOR or jazz-oriented radio, particularly as the Nairobi Trio (all four of them…) are so well known and popular.

Although playing in the piano-less/drummer-less style and tradition (though guitarist John Quigley turns in some nice brushwork on two tracks) that began with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli's celebrated Hot Club Quintet, the Nairobis are kicked into modernity by the more intense playing of violinist Richard Adams and Guitarist Nigel Gavin, strongly supported by Quigley and bassist Peter Koopman. Also by some astute choices of material (Tom Ludvigson's Do Your Own, Nigel Gavin's Sacred Hill, Miles' Nardis). As a result, although their sound is still satisfyingly 'Lounge Lizard' when required, it's a lot less louche than Django and Stephane can now sound to contemporary ears.

Stand out tracks, for me, are the opener Lady be Good, the aforementioned Do Your Own (boldly programmed second up), Nuages, Limehouse Blues (always a favourite), the beautiful Cahn/Van Heusen ballad All My Tomorrows (an inspired choice) and the perennial Caravan (not an easy tune to refresh, but the group have done so here). There are plenty to choose from, including a few jaunty and insouciant vocals too." Bruce Morley, NZ Musician - June 1993.

Live

Is the Nairobi Trio's first album recorded in 1991 at Mandrill Studios in Parnell, Auckland. The name comes from the fact that the recording, although done in a studio without a live audience, was laid straight down to two–track tape with no overdubbing. What you hear is exactly what happened that night.

 

SHIMA Light CD
(Shima Music)
File Under: electronica / NZ Music
SH003
Shima is Auckland musician, Michael Ferriss, Shima's music has been described as an orchestra on acid. His approach to sound is almost organic with samples of found sounds mixed with digital and analogue synthesizers. Simple, lush and beautiful are terms that spring to mind when listening to Michael’s accomplished compositions. A great album if you want to enter into a uniquely different world of electronica, turn on the light.

 

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