Lisa Davies of Ngā Reo Tīoriori joins Alex Harmer in the RNZ Christchurch studio for a chat about their story and to perform some of her translated arrangements with a seven-piece band.
Ngā Reo Tīoriori from L-R: Doug Stewart (Hāmoa); Aarama Olsson (Ngāi Tūhoe); Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu); Te Kurawhiti Hitchens (Ngāi Tūhoe; Ngāti Porou); Sam Jones (Te Arawa); Poharama Nopera (Te Aupōuri; Te Rarawa; Ngāi Tūhoe); Julian O’Brien (Ngāpuhi); Tamatoa Tuhou (Ngāti Porou; Ngāi Tūhoe; Tainui; Ngāti Mutunga). Photo: Alex Harmer
The setlist:
Karakia tīmatanga – Music based on John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme, Pt. IV’, arranged by Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu)
Ā-ē (Ah Yeah by Robert Glasper): Translated and arranged by Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu)
Tai Nui (Tidal Wave by Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes): Translated & arranged by Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu)
Maunu (Withdraw by Kimbra): Translated & arranged by Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu); Special guest Scott Taitoko (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Taku Parata (My Brother by L.A.B.): Translated & arranged by Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu); Special guest Scott Taitoko (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Mine (Mine by Swidt): Translation & arrangement by Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu); Original rap in te reo Māori by Kommi (Kāi Tahu; Te Āti-Awa); Special guest Scott Taitoko (Ngāti Maniapoto)
For more live music from Ngā Reo Tīoriori, you can check out the below episode from their first time at Live at Alex's.