Singer-songwriter to promote Maori music
He’s won multiple titles at the NZ Music and the Waiata Maori Music awards and now Rob Ruha is joining a host of other singers and songwriters behind an initiative to mentor young up and coming artists.
Ruha, along with Tama Waipara, Maisey Rika and Taisha Tari will head the inaugural Maori Music Month – Te Marama Pu¯oru Waiata Maori – in August.
It will include a roadshow of events and workshops in New Zealand and Australia and it will be launched at the National Secondary School Kapa Haka competition in Hawke’s Bay on July 28.
The workshops will focus on taonga puoro, or traditional Maori music instruments, song writing, song composition and vocal training. There will also be a special focus on turntablism, the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using turntables, led by some top Maori DJs.
People will have access to the advice and experience of the Maori music stars during consecutive workshops held each week during the month, starting in Wellington, Waikato, Auckland and the Gold Coast.
Ruha, from the East Coast, is recognised as a leader of traditional Maori music. He has a unique style of which has been described as an eclectic mix of soul-roots-reggae with a touch of RnB, rock-blues and jazz.
It’s a style is likely to be a big drawcard for young people taking part in Maori Music Month. Ruha immediately thought of the ‘‘possibilities’’ the initiative could generate. ’’Of course as artists, we celebrate and live Maori music all year round but what this enables us to do is provide a concentrated showcase experience for those of the world who may want to explore this dynamic and diverse world of music.’’
Rob said agreeing to be part of Maori Music Month was a ‘‘no brainer’’.
He is passionate about Maori music, the oranga it brings people and its power to touch and move the world.
As part of Maori Music Month, he intends to visit communities and kura to help promote Maori music and to share what it has given to him, his friends, family and iwi.
‘‘I’d like to show people how they can be a part of it and help support it’s growth.’’
Maori Music Month is the creation of Ellison Huata who is the executive director of the National Waiata Maori Music Awards.
Huata said Maori Music Month would aim to connect young performers with established artists through events planned for each week in August, starting in Wellington, then Auckland, to Waikato and finally the Gold Coast in Australia.