Tama Waipara is a soulful sophisticate, whose vocal
career began when a head injury temporarily
interrupted his clarinet studies at the prestigious
Manhattan School of Music in New York. This pause
gave birth to a soul filled vocal talent and
equally thoughtful songwriting, and shortly after
graduating with a Masters degree in clarinet, he
was signed by New York label, ObliqSound as its
premiere recording artist.
In 2004, Tama released his debut album, “Triumph of Time” debuting at New York’s famous Central Park Summerstage to rave reviews. This was followed by a highly successful European tour in the same year and subsequent tours across the US, Europe and the UK. Having performed and recorded with some of New York’s young rising talents including drummer Kim Thompson (Beyonce, Kenny Barron), Anne Drummond (Bright Eyes), Rob Moose (Antony and the Johnsons, Sufjan Stevens, Clare and The Reasons) and Grammy nominated Emily King (Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Floetry, John Legend), Tama returned home to New Zealand to release “Leaving Paradise” which featured the likes of King and Kiwi jazz/funk giant, Nathan Haines.
“Leaving Paradise” was recorded in Williamsburg and debuted in NZ at No. 15 on the IMNZ charts and was shortly followed by further collaborations co-writing and performing with Nathan Haines for his highly successful “Right Now” album, released in 2008. Other recent collaborations include Mark de Clive Lowe, Epsilon Blue, Nickodemus (NY), The Exiles, Angie Hart, Annie Crummer, Dele Sosimi (France), Vanessa Freeman and The Reel People (UK).
In 2004, Tama released his debut album, “Triumph of Time” debuting at New York’s famous Central Park Summerstage to rave reviews. This was followed by a highly successful European tour in the same year and subsequent tours across the US, Europe and the UK. Having performed and recorded with some of New York’s young rising talents including drummer Kim Thompson (Beyonce, Kenny Barron), Anne Drummond (Bright Eyes), Rob Moose (Antony and the Johnsons, Sufjan Stevens, Clare and The Reasons) and Grammy nominated Emily King (Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Floetry, John Legend), Tama returned home to New Zealand to release “Leaving Paradise” which featured the likes of King and Kiwi jazz/funk giant, Nathan Haines.
“Leaving Paradise” was recorded in Williamsburg and debuted in NZ at No. 15 on the IMNZ charts and was shortly followed by further collaborations co-writing and performing with Nathan Haines for his highly successful “Right Now” album, released in 2008. Other recent collaborations include Mark de Clive Lowe, Epsilon Blue, Nickodemus (NY), The Exiles, Angie Hart, Annie Crummer, Dele Sosimi (France), Vanessa Freeman and The Reel People (UK).
