New Zealand’s soul diva, Whirimako Black has built up a loyal jazz, blues and Māori fan base with her sublime te reo Māori and English songs. She is, undoubtedly, one of this country’s finest musicians. Whirimako Black has performed through out Aotearoa, Europe and Australia over the past decade. She creates a truly unique, intimate presence in her performances with a ‘sublime and exceptionally expressive voice’ that has been described as ‘pure velvet’. Whirimako’s distinctive sound, her use of traditional Māori musical forms and te reo Māori make her a unique and powerful voice for Aotearoa.

Awards

• NZ Order of Merit (2006) for services to Māori music
• NZ Music Award (2001) – Best Māori Album
• APRA Maioha Award (2004) for her songwriting in te reo Māori
• Te Waka Toi Award (2004) for her contributions to contemporary Māori music
• NZ Music Tui (2008) for best Jazz Album

Solo Albums

• Whirimako Black Sings – Te Reo Māori Version (2007)
• Whirimako Black Sings (2007)
• Soul Sessions (2006)
• Kura Huna (2005)
• Tangihaku (2004)
• Hohou Te Rongo: Cultivate Peace (2003)
• Hinepukohurangi: Shrouded in the Mist (2001)

Collaboration Albums

• 1 GIANT LEAP album (2001/2), a world music project that saw worldwide release
• LAND OF OUR FATHERS movie soundtrack (2004), with Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi
• HONE TUWARE album project (2005), produced by Charlotte Yates and featuring some of NZ’s top artists
• Feel The Seasons Change (2008), with SALMONELLA DUB, as featured vocalist

DVD

• An Evening With Whirimako Black (2007) , in concert with Joel Haines and Russel Walder at the Trinity Cathedral