Artist description Contemporary jazz with a cool, ambient sound - combining elements from jazz and rock with the wonderful sense of space we enjoy in New Zealand.

Music Style ambient jazz

Musical Influences Pat Metheny, Jan Garbarek, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, World Music

Similar Artists Pat Metheny, Jan Garbarek, Keith Jarret Quartet

Artist History The Chris Mason-Battley Group consists of five members who all play in a number of leading New Zealand jazz groups. The band plays regularly in a wide range of settings, from music festivals to local jazz clubs and corporate and private events. In 1999 we recorded our debut album, 'Karakia' which is being well received both in NZ and internationally. With the successful release of the album on MP3.com, we're looking to record more of our southern brand of 'cool jazz'. Keep an eye out for more right here.

Group Members Chris Mason-Battley - Soprano / Tenor Sax, Graeme Webb - Acoustic / Electric Guitar, David Lines - Piano / Keyboards, Sam Giles - Electric Bass, Malcolm Taylor - Drums

Instruments Sax, Guitar, Keys, Bass, Drums, Vocals

Albums 'Karakia' - 'Grass Roots Records' , Parachute Music, NZ.

Press Reviews "Karakia is an immediately enjoyable experience. The atmospheric arrangements and flowing and emotive playing are both relaxing and stimulating, with the tracks 'Karanga' and 'Karakia' (the opener and closer on the album) setting the scene for this Aotearoa-inspired album"....................... .....Real Groove Magazine, May 2000...... "Karakia, meaning prayer in Maori, is the title of the Chris Mason-Battley Group's debut album. And indeed, listening to the album can be an almost spiritual experience.The album, and each track on it, is carefully composed as if intricate parts of a story.The haunting voice of Hinemaia Riddell welcomes listeners, in the aptly named lead track Karanga (welcome). Karanga suggests the start of a journey and indeed the rest of the album fulfills that promise. Elements of jazz, rock and cultural influences are beautifully intertwined culminating in Karakia, or closing prayer."........................................... .....Selector Music Monthly, June 2000.....

Additional Info The full length CD, available from SoundsNZ.com features two more tracks: 'Naima', by John Coltrane and an ambient, improvisational arrangement of Herbie Hancock's 'Maiden Voyage'.

Location Auckland - New Zealand

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