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I have been contracted as the band pianist for this show, fancy something different? Why not come along for a night of musical madness! Details below…..

Don’t miss Broadway’s biggest and brightest musical live on stage in Auckland from 2 October for a strictly limited season at The Civic

THE SHOW
Broadway’s song and dance extravaganza, 42nd Street, promises toe-tapping excitement as it struts into The Civic, THE EDGE on Saturday 2 October for a strictly limited season.

This spectacular stage classic features dazzling set, costumes and choreography direct from the latest Tony Award winning Broadway revival. Presented by Auckland Music Theatre, with a full live orchestra and an all-singing, all-dancing New Zealand cast, 42nd Street will make you want to get up and dance! Those memories will come flooding back with its hit show tunes including You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me, Dames, Only Have Eyes for You, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, Forty-Second Street and We’re In the Money – lucky for many Kiwis as Lotto’s original jingle!

The stellar cast line up includes New Zealand-born star of international stage and television Derek Metzger, together with Suzanne Lee, Grant Bridger, Laura O’Sullivan and Melbourne based young heart-throb Lyndon Keenan.

42nd Street is a big, bold musical set in 1933 that celebrates the stuff that dreams are made of. It’s a story of hard work, being in the right place at the right time, talent and love – the timeless, inspiring tale of small town Peggy Sawyer’s rise from chorus girl to Broadway star.

We have been recording our new album to be entitled “In Song” featuring the mighty talents of Aaron Coddel (bass) and Jason Orme (drums).  Its been a long weekend and have 4 more tracks to complete but most of the work was recorded on Saturday.  The final version is being mixed next week by Steve Garden and I will keep you posted when it is available to purchase / sample!  This project consists entirely of my compositions with styles ranging from swing, funk latin and drum n bass.

Thanks, Mark

playing ‘Nobody does it better with Caitlin Smith’ @ Tim Beveridge’s ‘The Music of Bond’

Following up from Mango Tango that was released earlier in the year, I am proud to announce the release of two subsequent albums aimed for younger age groups. ‘Stay and Play’ is aimed at children aged 2-4 and ‘Swing this Way’ is written for 0-2 year olds. Musicians involved in these albums include Lance Bentley, Alex Griffiths, Dixon Nacey, Andrew Lynch, Ambrose Splescia and Chris Nielson.

I was contracted as Musical Director and Co-Producer for these projects as well as keyboard player.

Play with imagination, play with friends, and play with instruments. Join us in the world of turtles, teddies, traffic lights, toothbrushes, tunnels and tigers to stimulate movement, imagination, language and learning. Topics include ideas important in the life of a young child: my body, my home, games, colours, numbers, friends, food, animals, playing instruments, shapes, routines, toys, and (the very important) physical movement.
Play is a child’s work. Through play, children develop in all essential learning areas: motor, auditory, language, social, musical, visual, memory, and creativity. Have fun with this music, knowing that your child’s learning is being reinforced and supported. Essential fully interactive repertoire for everyone aged 2 to 4 years.

Young babies listen from inside the womb. At birth their hearing is fully developed and they are ready to enjoy music in the big wide world. This CD brings a nurturing collection of new music to support your baby’s growth and development, while enhancing the relationship between you and your little one. These songs encourage Baby’s involvement in eye-tracking, tickle games, bouncing songs, peek-a-boo games and lullabies.
Babies will become more aware of their bodies; develop movement, language and communication skills, all while having fun. This music will help you share the adventure of learning with your little one during this important developmental period. Essential fully-interactive repertoire for everyone aged 0 to 3 years, and the big people who care for them.

Kids Music Company – Winners of Multiple International Awards for Excellence in Children’s Music for the past 7 years.
Supporting children’s growth and development through music and movement activities. Our aim is to provide holistic music education for children in a fun and supportive environment. We achieve this through our classes for 1-9 year olds and in the production of our quality resources.

I am now playing with Black Sand Diva at the Samoa 2010 Jazz and Blues festival. This should be great fun, the band is fantastic and includes Jason Orme (Drums) and Ben Turua (Bass). The details of this event are listed here, thanks Mark

Samoa bout to party!
The beautiful island nation of Samoa will be the backdrop to world class jazz, blues and soul music over 3 days in November in a range of venues across Upolu Island at the Samoa 2010 International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Held over three days from 12-14 November, the festival is guaranteed to provide the perfect ‘chilled out’ holiday vibe, with a line-up that includes leading jazz and blues musicians from New Zealand, Australia, England and the United States – not to mention talented local bands and entertainers.

Among the international artists included are renowned musicians Ian Moss, Billy TK Jnr (Kiwi guitar hero), Hammond Gamble, Tony Painting (UK blues guitarist), Phil Broadhurst (internationally acclaimed jazz pianist), LA crooner, Diana Harris and a total of 20 bands!

The Minister of Samoa Tourism Hon, Misa Telefoni comments, ‘This event is a first for Samoa and we are proud to welcome world class musicians and guests to our island paradise for the festival.’

Festival Director Billy Te Kahika adds, ‘Samoa is the perfect place to hold a festival like this. I’m excited about the musicians coming and the beautiful destination that will host our festival guests – it’s an amazing project!’

All festival venues will be featuring jazz and blues acts concurrently.

Samoa’s stunning tropical scenery makes a wonderful backdrop for the festival – both Upolu and Savai’i are fringed by magnificent coral reefs and lagoons. There are also some great activities to keep you entertained, so when you’re not busy taking in the sights and sounds of the festival, you can enjoy the snorkelling at Apia’s Palolo Deep National Marine Reserve, have some fun at the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, or check out the island’s fantastic diving and fishing.

Better yet, come over early and you can spend a few days exploring Upolu, and enjoying all it has to offer! So make sure you book yourself some ‘free’ time to come and enjoy ‘Music for the Soul in the Heart of Paradise’.