Hollie Smith

Soul, Jazz & Blues

Hollie Smith cut her teeth performing with iconic locals Trinity Roots and Fat Freddy’s Drop, along with prominent Detroit DJ Recloose. But it would prove to be call from celebrated Kiwi songwriter Don McGlashan (The Mutton Birds) in 2006 that would set her on the path to becoming New Zealand’s pre-eminent voice of soul.

Penned by Don and performed by Hollie, the single ‘Bathe in the River’ topped the charts, spending 22 weeks in the top 10. Hot on the heels of ‘Bathe in the River’ came Hollie’s double-platinum debut album 'Long Player’, released on her own SoundSmith Records label. The album caught the attention of Bruce Lundvall, head of Blue Note Records in New York, providing Hollie with the opportunity to work with heavyweight Philadelphia soul producer James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill) and tour Europe as part of the illustrious Blue Note Jazz Festival.

The 2007 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards saw her take home Best Female Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Aotearoa Roots Album and Best Producer. Two more successful national tours followed 2013’s exquisite pop release ‘Peace of Mind’, a collaborative effort between Hollie and long time friends and revered female artists Anika Moa and Boh Runga. In June 2014, Hollie was invited to perform at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival where she headlined the Scene Rio Tinto Alcan stage as part of the Les Soirees Jazzy outdoor concerts. She performed two sets in front of a combined audience of 50,000, wowing the crowds with her passionate and powerful performances, proving her mettle once again as a world-class vocalist.

Amidst sold-out national tours, international tours, collaborations with the cream of New Zealand music, opening for major international acts (Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Simply Red) and performing at the Blue Note and Montreal Jazz Festivals, Hollie remains focussed on staying grounded. Often recounted by concert-goers as a near spiritual experience, her transcendent performances give way to a rare level of humility behind the scenes. A driven, prolific and uncompromising talent, throughout her career Hollie has forged a reputation for passion and authenticity both on and off stage.