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WakakuraJazz, Pop & Folk
Wakakura is made up of vocalist Allana Goldsmith and guitarist Ed Taylor. Together they play a variety of genres ranging from original works in Te Reo to jazz, pop, & folk, blending Allana's jazz infused lyrical style with Ed's eclectic guitar playing. Allana and Ed will be joined at the Queenstown JazzFest by one of New Zealand’s leading trumpeters, Mike Booth. In 2013 Ed Taylor a West Auckland guitarist, began to search for a new vocalist for his jazz/folk band 'Akoustic Express'. Through mutual friends, he was put in contact with the brilliant jazz vocalist Allana Goldsmith who had been performing throughout Auckland for over 10 years. By the end of 2013 Allana & Ed were playing regularly as a duo & decided to make it official by creating a new band & thus 'Wakakura' was born.
In 2014 'Wakakura' began writing original music with Te Reo lyrics, culminating in a selection of songs being chosen by the Māori/Crown funding organization 'Te Mangai Paho' to be recorded for Māori radio.
In the short time Wakakura has been together they have performed at several music festivals, including 'The National Tauranga Jazz Festival' & 'Titirangi Music Festival'. They also have a residency at 'The Lumsden', an upmarket bar/restaurant in Newmarket. Wakakura is made up of vocalist Allana Goldsmith and guitarist Ed Taylor. Together they play a variety of genres ranging from original works in Te Reo to jazz, pop, & folk, blending Allana's jazz infused lyrical style with Ed's eclectic guitar playing. Allana and Ed will be joined at the Queenstown JazzFest by one of New Zealand’s leading trumpeters, Mike Booth.
About (From artists website)
In 2013 Ed Taylor a West Auckland guitarist, began to search for a new vocalist for his jazz/folk band 'Akoustic Express'.
Through mutual friends, he was put in contact with the brilliant jazz vocalist Allana Goldsmith who had been performing throughout Auckland for over 10 years.
By the end of 2013 Allana & Ed were playing regularly as a duo & decided to make it official by creating a new band & thus 'Wakakura' was born.
The Māori word "wakakura" reflects both Allana & Ed's passion towards Māori culture & language in Aotearoa.
Initially the duo performed a mix of jazz, pop, & folk, blending Allana's jazz infused lyrical style with Ed's eclectic guitar playing.
In 2014 'Wakakura' began writing original music with Te Reo lyrics, culminating in a selection of songs being chosen by the Māori/Crown funding organization 'Te Mangai Paho' to be recorded for Māori radio.
These will be recorded by the band in early 2015.
They are also currently recording an album of covers at 'New Angle Sounds Studio' in Titirangi, which will be available at gigs & on iTunes from March 2015.
Performances
In the short time Wakakura has been together they have performed at several music festivals, including 'The National Tauranga Jazz Festival' & 'Titirangi Music Festival'. They also have a residency at 'The Lumsden', an upmarket bar/restaurant in Newmarket.
Other regular clients include Auckland City Council, A.U.T., & Auckland University, as well as numerous private individuals & groups.
In May 2015 they completed their first tour with dates through the mid North Island, promoting their first album 'Akoustic Sessio
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