Alan Broadbent (born April 23, 1947 in Auckland, New Zealand), is a jazz pianist, arranger and composer most notable for his work with artists such as Woody Herman, Diane Schuur, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Charlie Haden, Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, and many others. He studied piano and music theory in his own country, but in the 1960s came to the US to study at the Berklee College of Music.
Virginia "Gin" Wigmore is a New Zealand singer/songwriter who was born in Auckland, New Zealand, where she spent most of her childhood. However, while in Argentina at age 16 her father died of cancer. Upon her return to New Zealand, she articulated in song, the pain of losing her father. One of those early penned songs, “Hallelujah”, won the US-based International Songwriting Competition in 2004[2], when she beat 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC.
There are at least three bands called Rhombus: 1) New Zealand dub-hip-hop-soul-funk-roots-reggae act Rhombus is a collaboration between producers Simon Rycroft and Thomas Voyce and MC Imon Star (Ahmen Mahal, son of blues legend Taj Mahal). Their debut album, 2002's 'Bass Player', also features the vocal talents of MC Mana, MC Rizzla (aka Tiki from Salmonella Dub), MC Antsman, Raashi Malik, and Lotus. 2005's 'Future Reference' added vocalist Lisa Tomlins (EBB) to the ensemble. A third album is due out mid-2007.
These Four Walls are a Hard Rock band based in Auckland, New Zealand. The Band currently consists of four members, but has previously perfomed as a five-piece. The current line-up features Lead Vocalist Steve Gibb also taking on the Rhythm Guitar duties, with Gray Vickers on Lead Guitar, Chris Treeby playing Bass and Brad Vickers playing Drums. The band has released three singles to radio and television in New Zealand, each recieving significant airplay on the major radio stations and TV channels in the country.
Hollie Smith (born 1983) is a female soul singer from New Zealand. In 1999, as a 16 year old, Smith recorded her album Light From a Distant Shore after winning Best Female Vocalist at the National Jazz Festival of New Zealand. The album of Celtic music was produced by her stepfather who was a well-known musician in New Zealand. In 2003, Smith moved to Wellington (New Zealand) singing with Trinityroots. She recorded an album Home, Land and Sea and toured with the band.
Hardcore/Thrash from Wellington, New Zealand. http://elpasorecordsonline.com/shortlived/
The Stones - named cheekily after The Rolling Stones - were a band from Dunedin in New Zealand. One of the earliest bands to record on the Flying Nun label, they helped form the style of music known as the Dunedin Sound. The Stones split up not long after its release, although all members of the band went on to success in other local bands. Most important of these was Wayne Elsey's time in The DoubleHappys, a band which itself led to the formation of Straitjacket Fits.
Maori singer/songwriter Maisey Rika, has one of Aotearoa's (New Zealand's) most impressive lead vocal style, fused with her honest and thought invoking messages. Some have described her sound similar to Tracey Chapman or Sade, with a splash of India Arie. Her spine tingling vocals and fusion of English and Maori (Te Reo) lyrics is capturing the hearts of soul seekers both in New Zealand and abroad.