Jack Grace gets the Big tour call-up
Howard Morrison Quartet ready for show extravaganza
Doing justice to performing songs by the legendary Howard Morrison Quartet is a big ask, but it’s a challenge Rotorua’s Jack Grace is up to accepting.
Grace has been given the official call-up to join the Howard Morrison Quartet Take Two nationwide 14-date tour which starts in Tauranga next month.
Grace has replaced Andre King who, on doctor’s advice, has pulled out of the tour after a serious injury.
For the past two months, Grace has been rehearsing with the quartet and appeared in the two Rotorua shows at Te Puia at the end of last year.
The tour — featuring Grace, Howie Morrison jnr, Russell Harrison and Chris Powley — was organised to mark 10 years since Sir Howard Morrison died, but was delayed twice as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Grace said he was looking forward to the tour.
“Fourteen gigs in just over three weeks is going to be full on but I’m absolutely looking forward to touring with the boys.”
Grace said Sir Howard was one of the biggest musical names and there was a “huge history” that went with that.
“There is a bit of pressure there to be able to perform the songs of the old Howard Morrison Quartet but Howie jnr has done a great job of reshaping this Take Two version and while we retain the history of Howard snr and the old quartet, this version has its own style and sound.”
Grace said he looked up to Sir Howard as an entertainer, like many young performers in his day.
“He set the pathway for many young Rotorua singers and certainly for me growing up around Howard and the Morrison wha¯ nau was a huge inspiration.
“I think on this February tour our New Zealand audience will be treated to the history of Sir Howard and the quartet songs and once again hear the wonderful music on stage again.”
Howie Morrison jnr said he was “over the moon” to have Grace on board. “He’s a true professional who has recently returned from Australia and was the winner of New Zealand’s first Song Quest back in the 80s.
“Jack brings another dimension to our quartet with more than 40-plus years of experience behind him. His harmonies certainly complete our quartet sound.”
Grace returned to Rotorua two years ago from overseas and has made an impact locally in that time, including writing, producing and starring in the sellout musical 8 Scott Ave.
He made an impact as a young performer and was signed with Eddie Hegan’s talent agency alongside New Zealand entertainment icons such as Ray Columbus, Ray Woolf and Billy T James.
He’s since performed with the likes of Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck.
Since returning home, Grace has been teaching music and giving back to the country that started his music career.