Grey Lynn resident and singer Maggie Gould is taking to the stage

Grey Lynn resident and singer Maggie Gould is taking to the stage at Pah Homestead on 17 April for two shows, and will be joined on stage by New York-based Kevin Field and Nanny Assis.

Maggie has just released her first record, ‘ToDo Amor’, working, touring and collaborating with award winning Nanny Assis. The album means ‘all love’ and was recorded at The Blue Note. Maggie has been living in New York, performing at classic venues such as Blue Note and Jazz Forum and as far afield as Rome, Venice and London. She returns happily to New Zealand.

Assis is Brazilian, and the collaboration with Maggie has created an album of uplifting jazz. The album ranges from jazz standards to Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder and original compositions. Assis has won multiple Brazilian jazz awards and is an accomplished instrumentalist
and songwriter.

Jazz local had this to say of their collaboration, “It was not only the gentle Bossa rhythms that we heard but other livelier types of South American-influenced music as well. These were danceable and energy-fuelled treats. During one such number, the room morphed into a seething mass of swaying bodies, hands raised as they danced.”

In her early years, Maggie started out performing musical theatre in London, and won parts in shows including Cats and Folies Bergere. Maggie was offered residency to sing jazz with a trio in London at Reubans Hotel. Based in New York, she works with Nanny Assis, John di Martino, Tommy Campbell, Jay Rodriguez and many others.

A career highlight for Maggie was working with Russ Garcia, the composer and arranger for Porgy & Bess. “You sing the melody straight and don’t mess with the melody. Don’t change a thing." he said. This was a piece of advice Maggie has held onto throughout her career as a vocalist.

Tickets to the concert at Pat Homestead are available on Eventbrite and a portion of proceeds will go towards the Christchurch tragedy. “We need music more than ever to help bring people together,” Maggie says.

An accomplished photojournalist, Maggie is also displaying some of her photographs at Bob & Friends on Ponsonby Road on 18 April at 6pm. All are welcome to come and enjoy a wine. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT)

Maggie Gould with Kevin Fields and Nanny Assis at Pah Homestead 17 April, two shows - 6.30pm and 8pm. Tickets from www.eventbrite.co.nz