Tamara Smith on the flute during a concert by the Mundi Trio. Photo / Peter Moore
Tamara Smith on the flute during a concert by the Mundi Trio. Photo / Peter Moore
Gisborne audiences have the opportunity to enjoy world music by Christchurch-based Mundi Trio at a special gig at Eastwoodhill Arboretum next month.
The trio is comprised of flautist/vocalist/percussionist/dancer and composer Tamara Smith, Brazilian percussionist Ricardo Stuani and guitarist and dancer Chris Dabinett.
Through the support of Arts on Tour NZ,the Mundi Trio hit the road on January 31 in a 19-concert tour that starts in Kaikōura, ends at Balcairn Hall (north of Christchurch) and in between features stops at the likes of Upper Hutt, Whanganui, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hamilton, Coromandel, New Plymouth and Nelson.
Smith is a classically trained flautist who started playing as a young girl and went on to study at Christchurch jazz school.
“I loved classical music but I also enjoyed the expression of other genres, and in our teens, my brother Tyson and I used to play as a duo around Christchurch composing our own tunes,” Smith said.
That was how it all began before Smith travelled the world compiling inspiration for her compositions along the way – from performing in jazz clubs in Paris and recording an album in Sri Lanka to learning traditional Indian flute by the Ganges and warding off alligators in the heart of the Amazon.
“The first major tour was to Sri Lanka to record some of those original songs of mine and write a few more and play with some Sri Lankan drummers, and it went from there, so it’s morphed and changed over time.”
Smith went through a marimba phase and got Jeremy Thin, a marimba player for the Christchurch Symphony, to tour with them.
“I wrote a whole lot of compositions that included marimba and banjo - I made Tyson buy a banjo - as I loved the sound of banjo and marimba together.”
They released an album in 2011 which coincided with the Christchurch earthquakes, but had trouble finding a venue that was standing to do a release show.
“Lots of my Mundi fans say that they love coming to the gigs and even though they know the songs it’s always different,” Smith said.
“There’s the melodies and recognised frameworks of the songs but there will be improvisation, where we’ll read the room and the musicians interact with each other, which keeps it fresh.”
Tamara Smith plays the djembe (African drum) with the Mundi Trio as part of Gardens Magic, a free summer concert series at Wellington Botanic Garden.
Smith plays a range of flutes, including classical, alto, the bansuri (Indian flute) and some South American types, including a new one she had made for her called the Mayan Temple flute, which can harmonise with itself.
The music is grounded in rhythm and groove with Smith also playing African drums − the djembe and stick drums called the dun duns from West Africa.
Smith also sings and dances.
Stuani plays on a drum kit that includes congas and a traditional Brazilian drum called the pandeiro, which looks like a tambourine.
In their upcoming tour, the Mundi Trio will perform a new series of compositions that weave the two oldest instruments in human history – flutes and percussion − into an array of duelling Brazilian/African percussion, guitar and vocal melodies.
Intertwined with the instruments and vocals will be dance choreographed by Smith.
“It is filled with joy and exuberant energy – an array of different sounds that will keep people interested,” she said. “There will be something in there for everybody.
“There’s lots of percussion and the opportunity for people to dance. I want people to let the music take them on a journey. It’s accessible and transports people to all sorts of different places in their mind. It’s great to have the opportunity to get people excited and feeling free and connected.”
Mundi Trio have extensive tour experience, having played at such events as the Newtown Festival in Wellington, Festival of Lights in New Plymouth and Christchurch Arts Festival.
A highlight for Smith was performing on the banks of the Avon River with international cellist Yo-Yo Ma as part of Yo-Yo Ma’s Bach Project in 2019.
“I was the music director for this beautiful gig and put together one of my songs that also incorporated other musicians, including taonga pūoro − traditional Māori instruments played by Ruby Solly.
“It was wonderful playing on the banks of the river, with birds landing on the water while we were playing, and the trees were in flower.”
Tamara Smith brings a joyful energy to the Mundi Trio gigs. Photo / Peter Moore
Mundi Trio have the crowd on their feet at Wellington Botanic Garden.
Mundi Trio performing at the Christchurch Arts Festival. The trio's 19-concert Arts on Tour NZ tour, which starts on January 31, will bring them to Eastwoodhill Arboretum on February 6.
Photo / Rowan Strang
