A North Shore teacher who has taught music to many children across Takapuna and Devonport will perform tracks from his own album at a NZ Music Month event at The PumpHouse this month.
Dominic Blaazer has been a music teacher to numerous children from Takapuna Primary, Vauxhall and St Leo’s schools in Devonport, many of whom are now at Carmel, Westlake and Rosmini. Now he has released his own solo album entitled The Lights of Te Atatu, which he will perform at The PumpHouse on May 5th, with his Maximum Philharmonic Orchestra.
The album was released on vinyl in February to critical acclaim, with Dominic performing a launch event at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios alongside his seven-piece orchestral band.
“I think it’s inclusive learning for my students to see me perform and, with the support of their parents, many have been to my shows,” says Dominic, who has taught locally for several years with Lewis Eady Music School. The accomplished musician has played alongside notable artists such as Don McGlashan, SJD and The Chills, also accompanying the Topp Twins, John Rowles, Goldenhorse, David Kilgour and The Clean, among many others. Dominic has great affection for The PumpHouse and saw this as the ideal venue to showcase his solo album.
He said: “It’s such a beautiful space. I’ve played the grand piano there as a member of Don McGlashan’s Seven Sisters band and it was one of the best-sounding shows I’ve done.
“I’ve chosen to play here again because a number of people were asking when I’d bring my show to the Shore, so here it is.”
Dominic describes his piano-based music as “chamber pop, with an emphasis on songwriting.” Two of New Zealand’s most respected music critics, Graham Reid and Nick Bollinger, both mentioned the quality of the songs in their reviews, calling them “beautifully refined” and “fearless and perfect” while comparing him to Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach and John Lennon.
The evening’s opening act is Jan Hellriegel, who is one of New Zealand’s most respected songwriters. She has toured with and supported many international acts including The Cure, Jeff Buckley, David Byrne, Diesel, and Ron Sexsmith; and she’s performed as a guest vocalist for many bands such as Straitjacket Fits, The Verlaines and The Mutton Birds. For The PumpHouse event, Jan will be using the piano to showcase new songs from her forthcoming album as well as re-imagining some of her hits.
Dominic Blaazer will perform tracks from his album The Lights of Te Atatu with his Maximum Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of NZ Music Month, at The PumpHouse on May 5th.
