About Me
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The Mamaku Project weaves French bohemian roots, Pacifica Dub and scents of the Middle East into a fine Jazz-Dub concoction… Created in the breathtaking wilderness of West-coast Aotearoa, this one-of-a-kind multi-lingual poetry rides infectious earthy grooves sprinkled with circus…At the heart of The Mamaku Project are two French-Kiwis, Tui Mamaki and Monsieur Escargot. They have been performing and recording their unique musical blend with some fine NZ talents including: John Ellis on Saxophones/Clarinet, Simon Walker and Yair Katz on Drums, Craig Denham ..boards/Accordion, plus guests: Kingsley Melhuish and Finn Scholes on Trumpet/Trombone, Manuel Bundy on Turntables, Hershal Hersher on Accordion, King Homeboy on Beatboxing, and Sally Howe on vocal harmonies.Tui Mamaki, born in Bordeaux, France, in 1980, grew up mostly in Aotearoa where she trained in Performing and Fine Arts. In 2002 she moved to France to study voice with Benat Achiary at the Bayonne Conservatorium of Music. She also traveled to Varanasi, India to study some Khyal and Dhrupad vocal technique. Back in NZ, Tui weaves these influences/origins with a very touching vocal gift into songs bearing beautiful and sensorial poetry.Monsieur Escargot, born in Paris, France, in 1973, is mostly self-taught in music. He started at the age of eleven with the organ, and progressively made his own way of understanding through the guitar, hand drums, electric and upright bass, keyboards and electronic machinery. In 2000, he moved to NZ and since then, has performed and composed for Ishta, Batucada Sound Machine and many local (Auckland) choreographers. He is musically inspired by his experiences in North Africa and the Middle East as well as his homeland France and the Pacific.The duo first collaborated in 2004, at Errobiko Festibala in Pays Basque, France. This concert saw the conception of a co-creative project, which would lead them back to Aotearoa in 2005, and be called The Mamaku Project. After recording a demo EP out in Piha and performing at some great NZ summer festivals in 2006 (Kaikoura Roots, Splore, Hamilton Garden Summer Festival, Devonport Food & Wine, Jambalaya, Titirangi Festival of Music), they set to work on a full length album, inspired by the wild west coast beauty and transience surrounding. Released in Feb 2007 The Mamaku Project debut LP Karekare has been described as:“…Sprouting their own version of New Zealand song, taking in Pacifica, dub/reggae and jazz styles with a distinctly cinematic weave. A new national treasure.†Simon Sweetman – North & South"They will surprise you from start to finish" Peter Thornton **** Rip It Up“…Exotic and mysterious, smart, slightly sassy, supremely confident and utterly engaging...†Graham Reid - Elsewhere“ Wild West Coast Cabaret… silky soul dub†Scott Kara – Herald“Capturing the soul of the west… groundbreaking…†Tony RickettsRecent live performances by The Mamaku Project include AK07, WOMAD NZ, Christchurch Arts Festival, Taranaki Arts Festival
