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First published in September 2010
Kevin can be contacted at kevin.clark@xtra.co.nz
Click <here>
to visit Kevin's website
Bands
The Kevin Clark Trio
The 40Watt Banana
Los Gringos
Fran and the Two Man Band
The Dixie Dudes
The
Kevin Clark Trio
1967 - 1970
Kevin Clark, piano, Barry Johnston, bass, Bud Jones, drums. Had a
Sunday night jazz residency at a coffee bar – the Tête-à-Tête -- for
several years. Recorded several radio programmes.
1970 – 1973
Next line up played at “Giovanni’s” – opposite the Majestic centre
— twice a week for three years — Dave Parsons drums, Dave Day bass. More
radio programmes were recorded.
1974 ---
With vocalist Fran Barton. (also known as “Gruntphuttock’s Revenge”)
Played at the Napoleon Room in its heyday twice a week for three years ---
everything from Chick Corea to originals to Carol King to Ella Fitzgerald.
Appeared at jazz festivals around the country, recorded more radio programmes,
appeared on the weekly live to air television show Brian Edwards on Saturday for
about ten months — album “On Saturday” - music from the series. Dave
Pearson, bass, Mike Fullarton drums. Break of a year while Fran had a baby
then started again for another year with Maurice Phillips on drums and Dennis
Quaintance, bass.
Appeared on TV Just Jazz series with Maurice Phillips drums and Paul Dyne
bass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq7f9YFwMNI
Fran is still working with me — now a 37 year musical partnership.
2000 - 2004
I set up a twice a month jazz night at the Sandbar at Paremata. Rowan
Clark, bass, Richard Wise drums, with guest artists every night. We played
hard out Afro-Cuban Brazilian and original hard bop stuff. Built up a
large loyal following.
2008----
Monteiths Paremata. The Trio with Fran Barton -- Reuben Bradley drums and
Aaron Stewart bass — 1st Sunday of every month. Mellow to hard jazz.
1970 - 1975?
Came into existence as an experimental highly creative group, playing 100%
original material using Indian music as inspiration, with a sitar, tablas,
synthesizers etc. Group expanded for projects by addition of flute,
tanpuras etc. More radio recordings, live performances at “arty”
festivals and University concerts. Dave Parsons went off to India again to
further his studies on the sitar. Recorded “Nirvana” — an original
on EMI.
Influences of the group can be heard on “Once Upon A Song I Flew” where
Dave recorded with us on tanpuras and other Indian instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um3P0uZSbn8
1998----
An eight piece Afro-Cuban jazz powerhouse band I formed while tutoring at
Massey University Conservatorium — a collection of highly talented students
and some of the staff. I wrote all the arrangements, went to Cuba, had
some lessons, we had a residency for a while in the Grand in Wellington, and
played concerts at Jazz Festivals, street festivals etc. Los Gringos can
be heard on three tracks on “Zahara”.
Not commercially viable and I didn’t want to play “salsa”. Core line up included Mike Taylor trumpet, Andre Paris alto sax, Dave Bremner trombone, Rowan Clark bass, Richard Wise, Reuben Bradley Lance Philip percussion drums.
Wrote some arrangements for Fran to sing with us at appearances at the
Martinborough Wine Festivals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGmzL8oBZXs
Cubanalistic
2007 - 2009
Vocalist Fran, piano (I also played trumpet, piano and hi-hat cymbal at the
same time, as well as doubling on tuba and mellophone) and Chris Schnack (ex
NZSO) on tuba, bass and trombone.
A light hearted fun razz ma tazz anything goes group — ragtime, vaudeville, swing, classical parodies etc. Resident at Water Front Brasserie, Raumati for a year and Monteiths about six months.
2000-------
Originally set up with mainly tutors from Massey Conservatorium to present
some New Orleans music, the original 6 piece now operates occasionally (annual
“residency” at the Napier Art Deco Festival) mainly as a four piece — (for
commercial reasons) and the ability to “stroll” at outdoor gigs etc.
Not a big part of my life.
Discography
"Zahara” – 100% original Flamenco/Cuban jazz Finalist NZ
Music Awards 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fon0KTh5s
“The Sandbar Sessions” Live recording- 50% originals. Winner of NZ Music Award “TUI” in 2005
“Once Upon A Song I Flew” 100% originals “world” jazz. Winner of NZ Music Award “TUI” in 2003
“On Saturday” featuring Fran Barton. 1976. Originally on Vinyl. Music from the TV Show, “Brian Edwards On Saturday”
“Don’t You Feel My Leg” featuring Fran Barton. 2008. Compilation from all the above CDs featuring Fran.
“Nirvana” Single on EMI - Indo-pop-fusion 1971
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