01 Nov 2015
Discover happy groovy music from flute player Miho Wada and her pint sized jazz orchestra. Miho’s original style of ‘Afro-Cuban flute meets J-Pop’* effortlessly fuses music from varied genres played on different instruments – an eccentric electric violin, romantic acoustic guitar, sunny Latin bass and sophisticated jazz drums…..
One of the most engaging jazz acts in New Zealand, this little orchestra strives to uplift audiences through a mixture of positive energy and feel-good music.
‘Fresh, innovative and a unique sound that you simply will not hear anywhere else…Wada is the real deal when it comes to a world class flautist.’ - Critical Jazz, USA
‘With her mix of kooky, cute and tough-girl style, this Japanese born, Auckland based musician is a live music marvel’ – New Zealand Herald
Miho Wada
Growing up in the Japanese seaside town of Miyazaki and then Christchurch, Miho seamlessly blends stylish contemporary jazz with her unique Pan-Pacific flavour. On completing her BA in flute performance at Canterbury University, she moved to London for further study at the Trinity College of Music. Miho worked for a short time with the National Orchestra of Malta, but decided to challenge her creativity and returned to London, where she performed with Cuban musicians and discovered her love of Afro-Cuban music. Miho has studied and performed in Cuba and New Orleans and played alongside Nigel Kennedy, Iggy Pop, Ska Cubano and members of the Buena Vista Social Club.
Following her WOMAD performance in 2009, Miho returned to New Zealand and began composing and playing her own original music. In 2010 she formed her Auckland based band, Miho’s Jazz Orchestra (MJO), and has since performed throughout Australasia and Japan. Her EP Memphis Dreamin was recorded at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, and 2014 saw the release of MJO’s third full length instrumental album, Mystery Banana.
*J-pop
J-pop, an abbreviation for ‘Japanese pop’, is a musical genre that has its roots in traditional Japanese music and influenced significantly by 1960s pop and rock, such as the Beatles and the Beach Boys, then further defined by new wave groups in the late 1970s. The term was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese music from foreign music, and now refers to most Japanese popular music.
Itinerary
Thursday 29 October 7pm Waimamaku
Morrells Café $15 Door sales
Friday 30 October 7.30pm Whangarei
The Riverbank Centre, Reyburn House Lane
$25 Book: www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz and Whangarei Suit Hire
Saturday 31 October 8pm Howick
Uxbridge Arts Centre, 35 Uxbridge Rd
$22 Book: Call 09 535 6467
Sunday 1 November 2.30pm Coromandel
Coromandel Bowling Club
$25, $20 with concession Book: Coromandel Information Centre
Tuesday 3 November 7.30pm Kauaeranga
Kauaeranga Hall
$20, $18 pre booked Book: kauaerangahallmusic@gmail.com or Lotus Realm 714 Pollen St Thames
Wednesday 4 November 7pm Whitianga
Whitianga Town Hall
$18 Adult, $15 Student/child (under 19) Book: Whitianga Paper Plus
Friday 6 November 7pm Opotiki
Senior Citizens Hall
$22 Adults, $10 Children and over 65s. Book: Travel Shop
Saturday 7 November 8pm Gisborne
Dome Room, Poverty Bay Club
$25 Book:The Aviary
Sunday 8 November 7pm Benneydale
Art Doc Gallery
$20 door charge 07 8784780 (reservation essential) BYO and bring a plate
Tuesday 10 November 8pm New Plymouth
Theatre Royal TSB Showplace
Theatre seats $25, Table seats $30, Table of 8 $200 (service fees apply)
Book: www.ticketmaster.co.nz 0800 111 999 or TSB Showplace Box Office
Thursday 12 November Blenheim
Floor Pride Marlborough Civic Theatre
Adult $45, Child $35, Senior Citizen $37.50 Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz 03 5208560
Friday 13 November Mapua
The Playhouse Theatre
$20 Book: The Playhouse Theatre
Saturday 14 November 8.30pm Onekaka
The Mussel Inn
$15 Book: The Mussel Inn
Sunday 15 November 7.30pm Reefton
Union Church, Shiel St Reefton
Adults $20, Students $10, Family $50
Tuesday 17 November 8pm Barrytown
Community Hall
$20 Door sales
Wednesday 18 November 7.30pm Hokitika
Old Lodge Theatre
$20, Students $13 Book: Hokitika Regent Theatre
Thursday 19 November 8pm Fox Glacier
Pod Hotel
Friday 20 November 7.30pm Cromwell
Golden Gate Lodge
Adults $25, Supergold $20, Student/child $5 Book: Crowwell i-Site
Saturday 21 November 7.30pm Arrowtown
Athenaeum Hall
Ticket price: $20pp students $10pp
Where to book: Lakes District Museum
Sunday 22 November 8pm Owaka
Community Centre
$25 adults, $10 Students Door sales
Wednesday 25 November 8pm Gore
Thursday 26 Dunedin
Dog with Two Tails Café Moray Place
Friday 27 November 7.30pm Oamaru
Inkbox Theatre, Opera House
$22.50(plus booking fee) Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz or Oamaru Opera House
Saturday 28 November 7.30pm Darfield
Trinity Church, McLaughlin’s Rd
Adults $15, Students $5 Book: Selwyn Art Gallery, and door sales
Sunday 29 November 8pm Balcairn|
Mike Greer Concert Series
Balcairn Public Hall
$25 (inc Supper) Book: Sally Mac’s, Amberley, Sefton Garage, Stan’s 7 Day Pharmacy Rangiora
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, support from Interislander, 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 to their audiences rather than the other way around.
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