Whirimako Black

Whirimako, of Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Ranginui, Kahungunu, Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Te Arawa, and Ngati Awa iwi (tribal) descent is Aotearoa New Zealand's most acclaimed and prolific Maori language singer, with 5 solo albums to her credit and further guest appearances on 3 other album projects, all in less than 5 years! Her albums have been critically acclaimed in NZ and around the world and her busy tour schedule sees her performing in a wider range of different sized venues.
Whirimako possesses an extraordinary voice that critics have described as
"a rare and delicate instrument",
"sublime...exceptionally expressive",
"pure velvet!",
"owes much to great singers such as Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone and Dionne Warwick".

Over the years Whirimako has won numerous awards and other significant recognitions. A few of these are:

2001 Best MAORI LANGUAGE ALBUM AWARD at the NZ Music Awards.
2004 Winner of the MAIOHA AWARD for Maori music composition and achieved an 'industry first' by having composed 2 out of the three songs selected as finalists that year!
2004 a finalist at the NZ MUSIC AWARDS
2004 finalist in the APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS.
2004 Awarded the TE WAKA TOI AWARD for contribution to Maori Arts
2004 Performed with 1 Giant Leap as headline act at the European Music Day celebrations in Athens as a preliminary to the Olympic Games.
2006 Received the NZ ORDER OF MERIT for her services to Maori music.

Whirimako Black

	"Soul Sessions". A CD recorded by Whirimako Black . Code: Ma106 Price: $37.00 Quantity in Basket: none
Whirimako's album, Soul Sessions, was released on September 4th, 2006. The album records songs which were, for the first time ever, translated and recorded in te reo Maori and the first time Whirimako had recorded tracks in English. The core band for SOUL SESSIONS was: Joel Haines (guitars), Kevin Haines (upright bass), Kevin Field (piano, Fender Rhodes) and Ron Samsom (drums), plus guests: Kim Patterson (flugelhorn) and Alan Brown (Hammond organs) ... all from the Nathan Haines touring band. The following tracks are featured: Marangai Stormy Weather Hooria Georgia On My Mind Good Morning Heartache Cry Me A River Konehunehu Misty What A Difference A Day Makes He Raumati Summertime The Look Of Love Puumau Te Aroha Our Love Is Hear To Stay Nga Rau Ngahuru Autumn Leaves
	"Tangikahu": A CD recorded by Whirimako Black and Joel Haines. Code: Ma107 Price: $37.00 Quantity in Basket: none
Produced by Victor Stent and Chris Macro, Tangikahu comprises a collection of poems written by Whirimako's mother Anituatua Black and sister Rangitunoa Black and set to music composed by Whirimako and her sister, and subsequently arranged for these sessions by Joel Haines. The album's concept involves taking the listener on an inspirational 'musical journey' into the Ureweras. The instrumentation and arrangement is consciously spare and ambient with just Joel Haines on acoustic guitar, voice and taonga puoro (traditional woodwind and percussion instruments), allowing the exquisite sound of Whirimako's rich and evocative vocals to flow around every note - and that's what makes this album such a highly satisfying acoustic experience. Perfect for meditation and those quieter moments. "...the sheer elegance of her stripped-simple melodies and her transcendant voice ... impossible to ignore." "Black's voice is a rare and delicate instrument".
	"Kura Huna": Whirimako Black and Russel Walder. Code: Ma108 Price: $37.00 Quantity in Basket: none
This unique collection of ancient Maori songs and chants, long-forgotten, are given an exciting new lease of life, hence the title "KURA HUNA" (hidden treasures). Whirimako Black's voice soars over an impressive musical arrangement by top international oboe player, composer and arranger Russel Walder. Also featuring the talented guitarist Nigel Gavin, this is an impeccably recorded album, beautifully packaged and an ambitious, original and emotionally uplifting musical journey! "sublime ... exceptionally expressive!" "one of Aotearoa's real musical treasures...". Album tracks are: ENGARI TE TITI TE RONGO O TE TUNA KAORE TE AROHA E HURI E TAKU AROHA KIMIHIA RANGAHAUA KA MEA A TAWERA TERA TE WHETU KATAHI TI TIROHIA ATU NGA WHETU TE HOUHI

Whirimako Black