Planet Woman

Planet Woman presents from Celtic Roots to Oceanic Soul - an exciting musical collaboration of five musicians from both sides of the globe.

Lorraine Jordan (UK), Ora Barlow (NZ), Kim Halliday (NZ), Mahina Kaui (NZ) and Sarah Beattie (UK).

Together they create an eclectic and unique musical fusion of Pacific rhythms and harmonies with Celtic soundscapes. Their exhilarating and awesome sound has captured the attention of many festivals and media representatives including: WOMAD UK, Sidmouth Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Andy Kershaw’s BBC Radio 3 World Music Programme, BBC 4 Television WOMAD UK Special Presentation and Meridian T.V.

Since its inception in July 2002, Planet Woman has toured Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK.

Lorraine Jordan, was born in Wales to Irish parents and is one of the finest singer-songwriters living in Scotland today. Her thoughtful, powerful and melodic songs reflect her Irish heritage and embrace her contemporary musical tastes. She has released 3 CDs to much critical acclaim and has toured Europe extensively, playing most of the major Festivals there. She has shared stages with Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainright III, Dick Gaughan, Alan Stivel, among others. Lorraine’s band has included great musicians such as Niall O’Callanain, Tony McManus, John Whelan, Steafan Hannigan, Mairi Campbell.

Aotearoa (N.Z) born Ora Barlow is an exciting musician, songwriter and artist featuring guitar, ukulele, percussion and vocals. As one of the original members of the acclaimed pasifik women’s trio ‘Manuhiri’ Ora has toured Europe, Australia, New Caledonia and Aotearoa and performed in major festivals such as WOMAD UK, Edinburgh Fringe and most of the festivals in Australia releasing two CD’s along the way.

Mahina Kaui is an accomplished player and teacher of Taonga Puoro - koauau and nguru (maori flutes) and lead singer of the Big Belly Woman band who were finalists in the NZ Music Awards 2001. Described as "... divinely voiced.." by the NZ Listener, Mahina is a moving and emotive performer. She lives in the rural community of Hokianga far north, NZ.

Kim Halliday (Rotuma, NZ Scottish) has studied and performed with some of the finest musicians in the world! Having studied and worked with guitar greats such as Robert Fripp and Nigel Gavin, Kim has emerged with a style of guitar playing and musicianship truly her own. Kim also plays, piano, ukulele, percussion and sings and has been involved in many recording projects and bands, both in NZ and overseas.

Sarah Beattie (Aberdeenshire, Scotland), started playing the fiddle at the age of six. Since then she has performed with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow, as well as string quartet concerts and a regular gigging ceilidh band, the Jiggers. Sarah has toured Australia with the Brave Hearts of Scotland show and toured internationally with various artists and orchestras throughout Europe. After a year in Australia in 2003, Sarah appeared at the Glastonbury Festival and toured Europe with Sydney based band Loonaloop. Her enthusiasm, fantastic musicianship and energetic performances complete this must see global ensemble of women in music from around the world.