Martin Curtis
Encyclopedia
Martin Curtis is a leading New Zealand
folksinger
and songwriter. Born in Great Britain on February 7, 1944, he came to New Zealand in 1964. In 1976, he and his wife Kay went to Wanaka
in Central Otago
in the South Island to manage a youth hostel in the town for two weeks. They loved the place, and stayed. They now live in the Cardrona
Valley, near Wanaka
. His love of the area is reflected in the large number of songs he has written about the district.
Martin runs the annual Cardrona Folk Festival that takes place every Labour Weekend
. (New Zealand's Labour Day falls on the 4th Monday of October.) He is also responsible for organising tours of New Zealand by top folk musicians, mainly from Britain, but including Eric Bogle
from Australia and Jeremy Taylor
from South Africa.
He has produced a number of albums. His 1982 debut album, Gin and Raspberry, is recognised by the New Zealand Recording Industry Association as the best-selling New Zealand folk music album. His 2008 album Sea to Summit was one of three contenders for the 2009 Tui Award
for the best New Zealand folk music album of the year. The award was won by the Dunedin trio Delgirl
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
folksinger
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
and songwriter. Born in Great Britain on February 7, 1944, he came to New Zealand in 1964. In 1976, he and his wife Kay went to Wanaka
Wanaka
Wanaka is a town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, adjacent to the outflow of the lake to the Clutha River. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Wanaka is primarily a resort town but has both summer and winter...
in Central Otago
Central Otago
Central Otago is the inland part of the New Zealand region of Otago in the South Island. The area commonly known as Central Otago includes both the Central Otago District and the Queenstown-Lakes District to the west....
in the South Island to manage a youth hostel in the town for two weeks. They loved the place, and stayed. They now live in the Cardrona
Cardrona, New Zealand
Cardrona is the name of a locality, skifield and beer in New Zealand. Established as a gold rush township in the 1860s on the banks of the small river of the same name, it is known for its distinctive hotel of gold rush vintage which is on the opposite side of the river to the original township of...
Valley, near Wanaka
Wanaka
Wanaka is a town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, adjacent to the outflow of the lake to the Clutha River. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Wanaka is primarily a resort town but has both summer and winter...
. His love of the area is reflected in the large number of songs he has written about the district.
Martin runs the annual Cardrona Folk Festival that takes place every Labour Weekend
Labour Day
Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for...
. (New Zealand's Labour Day falls on the 4th Monday of October.) He is also responsible for organising tours of New Zealand by top folk musicians, mainly from Britain, but including Eric Bogle
Eric Bogle
Eric Bogle is a folk singer-songwriter. He emigrated to Australia in 1969 and currently resides near Adelaide, South Australia.-Career:...
from Australia and Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor (singer)
Jeremy Taylor is an English folk singer and songwriter who has spent much of his life in South Africa, originally as a teacher of English in southern Johannesburg, but since 1994 has lived in Wales and in France. Part stand-up comedian, part singer, Taylor has used his talents to confront the...
from South Africa.
He has produced a number of albums. His 1982 debut album, Gin and Raspberry, is recognised by the New Zealand Recording Industry Association as the best-selling New Zealand folk music album. His 2008 album Sea to Summit was one of three contenders for the 2009 Tui Award
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
for the best New Zealand folk music album of the year. The award was won by the Dunedin trio Delgirl
Delgirl
Delgirl are an acoustic band from Dunedin, New Zealand, who play original music which is a mix of skiffle/folk/country/blues and Pacific styles. Original members, Deirdre Newall, Erin Morton and Lynn Vare formed the band in 2000...
.
Discography
1982: Gin and Raspberry1986: Back from the Hills
1990: The Daisy Patch
1994: Save the Wilderness
1996: Off to the Dry Cardrona
1998: Below the High Country
2000: Let's Sing a Kiwi Song (children's album)
2002: Beyond a Climber's Moon
2004: Otago, My Home (DVD)
2008: Sea to Summit
External links
Martin Curtis Home Page: http://www.martincurtis.co.nz/Cardrona Folk Festival: http://www.martincurtis.co.nz/cardrona.html