Tama Waipara
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand | INDIE
Music
Press
"Waipara effortlessly lands on each note with minimal embellishment so that every word makes its mark. A good thing too, as he is a lyrical wizard." - Metro Magazine
"I've heard Waiparas new album and the musical variety is startling. One song recalls The Platters or The Moonglows with the kind of shimmering doo-wop pop you imagine drifting from the jukebox while lovesick teenagers slow-danced at a 1950s American diner. Elsewhere theres weightless Bacharach-style bossa nova, some soulful jazz-inflected folk songs, snatches of French chanson and Motown, even a song with the kind of skiffle once employed by The Kinks."
Grant Smithies - Sunday Star Times
"one of the most uniquely different records to ever grace the pages of B&S" - Blues and Soul, UK
"meltingly delicious voice…more sincerity than a dozen crooning boy bands" Scott Allan - Stevens - Earball Media
Discography
"Triumph of Time", "Leaving Paradise", "Sir+Plus and The Requirements"
Photos
Bio
Tama Waipara is a soulful sophisticate, whose vocal career began when a head injury temporarily interrupted his clarinet studies at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York. This pause gave birth to a soul filled vocal talent and equally thoughtful songwriting, and shortly after graduating with a Masters degree in clarinet, he was signed by New York label, ObliqSound as its premiere recording artist.
In 2004, Tama released his debut album, “Triumph of Time” debuting at New York’s famous Central Park Summerstage to rave reviews. This was followed by a highly successful European tour in the same year and subsequent tours across the US, Europe and the UK. Having performed and recorded with some of New York’s young rising talents including drummer Kim Thompson (Beyonce, Kenny Barron), Anne Drummond (Bright Eyes), Rob Moose (Antony and the Johnsons, Sufjan Stevens, Clare and The Reasons) and Grammy nominated Emily King (Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Floetry, John Legend), Tama returned home to New Zealand to release “Leaving Paradise” which featured the likes of King and Kiwi jazz/funk giant, Nathan Haines.
“Leaving Paradise” was recorded in Williamsburg and debuted in NZ at No. 15 on the IMNZ charts and was shortly followed by further collaborations co-writing and performing with Nathan Haines for his highly successful “Right Now” album, released in 2008. Other recent collaborations include Mark de Clive Lowe, Epsilon Blue, Nickodemus (NY), The Exiles, Angie Hart, Annie Crummer, Dele Sosimi (France), Vanessa Freeman and The Reel People (UK).
Tama’s fresh new album “Sir Plus & The Requirements” is a beautifully crafted work that successfully straddles 50’s pop and 70’s soul. Produced by Justyn Pilbrow (Elemeno P, Deja Voodoo, Angie Hart, Bionic Pixie), the album plays host to a fictional character called “Sir Plus”, the long lost Polynesian cousin of Sergeant Pepper.
“I’ve heard Waipara’s new album and the musical variety is startling. One song recalls The Platters or The Moonglows with the kind of shimmering doo-wop pop you imagine drifting from the jukebox while lovesick teenagers slow-danced at a 1950’s American diner. Elsewhere there’s weightless Bacharach-style bossa nova, some soulful jazz-inflected folk songs, snatches of French chanson and Motown, even a song with the kind of skiffle once employed by The Kinks.”
Grant Smithies, Sunday Star Times
“soothing and laidback….chilled out soul”
Scott Kara, NZ Herald
“one of the most powerful and moving singers I’ve heard anywhere”
Nathan Haines
“Sophisticated songs and soaring vocals”
Time Out New York
“Triumph of the senses”
- Blues and Soul, UK
Links
