Category: Bands of the Past

(“vol-ah-ray” means “to fly” in Italian )

” One of the best groups I’ve ever heard. These women are going places! I’d like to get an album when they make one or help them get a gig locally in Chicago…”

Email to Christchurch and Canterbury Marketing from Patty Killoran, U.S. visitor to the Arts Centre – Feb 2000

Elizabeth Braggins, Nicki Reece and Susan de Jong are Volare. They create their own brand of swinging jazz and lounge sandwiched between layers of lush vocal harmony covering classic songs from artists like Peggy Lee, The Andrews Sisters, and Dean Martin from the 40’s and 50’s through to more contemporary tunes from the likes of The Doors, Savage Garden and Manhattan Transfer.

ELIZABETH BRAGGINS  (B Mus., T.Coll. Dip)

is known nationwide for her piano, vocal and composition. Her self-titled CD was a showcase of Christchurch and Wellington musicians produced by Nigel Stone and Malcolm McNeill. It went on to become a finalist in the New Zealand Music Awards.  Along with her husband Dan Wilson (saxophone), Paul Dyne (bass), Roger Sellars (drums) and Terry Crayford (piano) Elizabeth featured on National Radio under the guise of “Kiss My Coda”. Other albums include “Live Takes” with Graham Wardrop, and two “Live at Tuskers” albums with Janice Gray. She has two daughters – Sophie and Olivia – and teaches music at the ChristchurchRudolphSteinerSchool.  Elizabeth has a deep love of harmonies and has been working them out since the age of 9.

NICKI REECE (B Bursary !!)

has performed with most of Christchurch’s finest musicians at one time or other for gigs like Classical Sparks, Summertimes, Festival of Romance, Christchurch Arts Festival, the Christchurch International Jazz Festival, Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, and Festival of Dance. She has also been involved in theatre and does commercial voice-over work. She has done everything from singing telegrams to cabaret to fundraisers. By day she is Programme Director at Community Radio PLAINS FM 96.9.

SUSAN DE JONG (B. Mus)

has chalked up 15 years performing in Australia, the USA and Thailand. She has supported the likes of Wynton Marsalis and Gloria Estefan and is an accomplished, passionate vocalist who performs with verve and humour. Her experience encompasses big bands, small combos and jazz choirs, and she has sung at all the major jazz festivals in Australia. She teaches jazz vocals at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, and since moving to New Zealand has performed around the South Island and regularly in Christchurch

An Andrews Sisters Tribute
(25-30 minutes)

In military uniform, with information on this famous American harmony trio, and classic songs like Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Bei Mir Bist du Shon, Rum and Coca Cola, and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

Where Did All These Curvy Bits Come From?!
(3 x 30 minutes)

A funny, ironic look at a woman’s life in 3 stages. We read from scripts, which comprise
poetry, readings, commentary, and wisecracks interspersed with song. Most recently we
performed this show for the Christchurch International Arts Festival.
” See them strut in cabaret, light and easy on the digestion. The songs are polished presentations, confident and true.”   (Press critic John Reid, August 2001)

Moroccan Nights 

(3 x 40 minutes)

Perfect for an event with a middle eastern theme. We incorporate songs like ‘Caravan’,
‘Istanbul’ and ‘Too Darn Hot’ as well as the Andrews Sisters set in military gear, and some
French songs for example ‘La Vie En Pose’ a spoof on the famous Piaf classic – as the French influence was very strong in Northern Africa.

Volare can do up to three 40 minute sets of swing jazz, and other classic tunes. They work either as trio with a keyboard, and various percussion sounds in an intimate setting, or with an added quartet consisting of guitar, sax, double bass and drums. For conference gigs, festivals or larger venues when a bit of dance music might be required they can add a fourth 40 minute set of rock ‘n roll.

After years of West End and UK national tours with some of rock ‘n roll’s biggest stage musicals, Shane Cortese returned home to New Zealand to take up a two-year contract on local New Zealand television drama. It was at this point Shane compiled a 17-piece rock ‘n roll band extravaganza aptly named it after the greatest year in rock ’n roll history!

The show takes you back to a time of innocence and when music begged you to dance and sing along. Jam packed with favourite and unforgettable tunes from the 50’s. The show is charted for medleys and additional instruments such as saxophone, trumpet and trombones and has filled some of the largest theatres in New Zealand.

A sell-out national tour in 2006 cemented the show as a hot ticket for this year when it has sold out several more times around New Zealand in 2007.

The Show is the brainchild of lead singer, Cortese and lead guitarist Chet O’Connell and with easy to read charts and a wealth of musical directing experience, the show can be offered to Cruise Companies utilising the in-house Orchestra, as well as corporate events, functions and weddings/ special celebrations.

“SOLPAK” is a six piece band whose instrumentation includes horn players (saxophone/trombone) in addition to the traditional Bass, Drums, Keyboard and Guitar combination.

The formation of “SOLPAK” has been motivated by the desire to provide:

    * “Live Music” in times when computer generated music has taken over.

    * “Variety & Colour” of sounds.

    * “Bigger Band Sound” with optional cabaret performances at a reasonable cost

    * “Entertainment” to conferences, conventions & cabaret to Christchurch and other South Island areas.

“SOLPAK” comprises of six experienced and highly accomplished musicians who have individually worked and travelled with well known New Zealand & International artists over the last 25 years.

“Frictionless” is a Christchurch based four piece band performing groovy smooth style jazz music.
Our music is fun and easy to listen to and also groovy enough for you to have a boogie to if you feel like dancing too! Our members are: Jessi Bright (keys), Todd Jones (bass), Chris Searle (drums) and Hanafi Machirus (guitar)

Raise the glasses! Ten Feet Tall is the consummate trio. Perfect for smaller parties and functions, Ten Feet Tall are a combo of sax, guitar and bass with vocals, performing a perfect mix of jazz, latin, reggae, light pop and dance music with style and panache.

Paul Dearsley: Saxophone

A multi-instrumentalist of distinction, Paul has played in bands for 16 years, and studied saxophone at the Christchurch Polytechnic Jazz School before joining the New Zealand Navy as a full time band member. His return to Christchurch to be with his daughter has enabled the grateful Christchurch public to once again enjoy him! Paul enjoys playing a wide variety of musical styles and particularly enjoys R&B, funk and latin.

Jason Wilcox: Guitars

Jason Wilcox studied jazz performance at the Christchurch Polytech Jazz School for three years after moving from Mississippi in the early 90s to live in New Zealand. With extensive bandleader and arrangement experience in pop and jazz ensembles, Jason has also worked as a solo guitarist throughout New Zealand. He has been a show guitarist in many live stage productions, including Chess, Little Shop Of Horrors, Fiddler On The Roof, and Rush, and composed and arranged for the popular outdoor theatrical, Linnaeus Prince Of Flowers. In the late 90s Jason recorded for NZ radio with the Aja jazz trio. He has been employed as a professional showband guitarist in the Carribean with Carnival Cruises, and the Royal Carribean Cruise Line. He teaches and performs regularly throughout NZ, from weddings and corporate functions to festivals and local jazz combo playing.

Dougal Canard: Bass

Dougal Canard gained his diploma in jazz performance from the Christchurch Polytech Jazz School in 1997. He soon moved overseas where for five years he worked for Carnival Cruises, the worlds largest cruise ship company. He was employed as a bass player then with his own piano trios. He worked throughout the Carribean, the Alaskas, and Europe. He plays piano, trumpet and bass and currently also works as a teacher and arranger in Christchurch.

This Christchurch band is sophisticated with a fun selection of Jazz songs as well as a carefully arranged blend of ballads and pop tunes.

The duo is specially suited for formal and semi formal occasions, including Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate functions, dinners etc with music for fine dining and background, and also for dancing. Stephanie and John perform as a piano/vocal duo, but can also perform the late set of the evening with the ‘full band sound’ (popular dance backing tracks) if required, by prior arrangement.

Both Stephanie and John have worked in the Christchurch music industry for many years and both are approachable, friendly and professional.

*Spiral may also be booked as a 3, 4 or more piece band

Welcome to the home page of jazz ensemble The Snazz Jazz Set; comprised of vocalist Katie Anstiss, pianist Jesse-Em Wade, saxophonist Michelle Harrison and the dashing lad of the group – bassist Bryce Collier!

The members of the group are all professional musicians; having performed at various venues in and around Christchurch and also the South Island . Their performance itinerary includes, a six-month residency held at the Millennium hotel in Christchurch over the winter months, spots in the 2004 Queenstown International Jazz Festival, performances for the 2005 Flowers and Romance festival and regular gigs in various Christchurch bars and cafes along with several weddings and corporate events.

The Snazz Jazz Set can provide additional instrumentation by request (for example, drums) or can downsize to a duo or a trio according to budget, or when room space is at a minimum.

 The Snazz Jazz Set is a fantastic mix of suave sophistication and swinging style, whether the occasion requires smooth, sultry jazz, or music that is really swinging, The Snazz Jazz Set can provide it all!

The Samantha Liew Trio formed out of Samantha’s assesment band for the Christchurch Jazz School and consists of Samantha Liew on Piano, Mark Churcher on Drums and Josh Neal on bass. We play a mixture of American Jazz and Blues, Latin Jazz, Salsa and European Jazz. We play primarily instrumental piano based music but can bring in a vocalist and/or other musicians if required. If you feel that drums may be unsuitable for your venue, we are also available as a duo or with a vocalist as a trio. Samantha comes from East Malaysia and began studying Classical Piano when she was seven and switched to Jazz after coming to New Zealand to study. Mark has been playing for nine years with a variety of Christchurch musicians performing in everything from jazz combos to rock operas and covers bands. Josh has been playing for ten years. He currently plays with Christchurch Salsa band “Ritmo Latino” and performs casually with other local jazz musicians.

Musical Styles

Moccachocolata’s repertoire boasts an eclectic collection of café music styles to groove, soothe, and move you.

* Cosmopolitan (French, Spanish, Portuguese lyrics)

* Soft rock

* Latin

* Bossa nova

* Calypso

* Soul

* Blues

* Funk

* Jazz standards

* Contemporary

* Easy listening

* Swing

* Disco

Flavour

Have Moccachocolata take you on an emotional journey with songs that are…

* Humorous, cheeky, fun & quirky

* Romantic, sentimental & smoochy

* Seductive, suave & sassy

* Staunch, brassy & rocking with punch

* Up-tempo, funky, toe-tapping music that’ll make you wriggle in your seat!

The Duo

Moccachocolata consists of Tony Worrall (guitar) and Susan Jeffery (percussion), with both alternating on solo, lead, harmony and backing vocals. Tony and Susan are seasoned performers and long- standing friends who have sung together for years as members of world music choir, A Capellago. They began their partnership as Moccachocolata in April 2004. Since this time they have built up a set list of over three hours, and have performed at private functions, cafes, shows, fundraising events, and garden parties.

Background

Tony

Tony has been a member of the exuberant world music choir, A Capellago for the past 7 years as a soloist, and creator of Latin musical arrangements. He played in rock bands as a “hairy youth” and has been playing the guitar for 40 years! He is accomplished at creating musical arrangements for up to 6 parts, and has recently started to write his own songs.

Susan

Susan is the director of Dance Addiction dance studios and has a diverse performance history as a dancer, singer/soloist, performer and percussionist for…

* A Capellago world music choir for 5 years

* Get Frocked! all-female cabaret/comedy trio

* Taste of Heaven gospel group

* Ignite Entertainment and Hot Tempo Dance Company cabaret and dance groups

* Tribal, retro, gospel, jazz bands and singing groups

Proposed Events

To follow are some suggestions for evening and daytime events that would be enriched by Moccachocolata as background entertainment or the main event.

* Cafés, restaurants & relaxed bars

* Garden and courtyard parties

* Festivals and expos

* Launches and openings

* Wineries, galleries & exhibitions

* Wine & cheese evenings, and wine tastings

* Weddings ceremonies & receptions

* Funerals & other ceremonies

* Fundraising events

* Stage shows

* Relaxed parties & gatherings

* Market & art centres

Image

Moccachocolata sports a selection of stylish looks, and can tailor its image to suit most occasions.