Bio

The Artistry is a soulful group that draws on influences of Lauren Hill, D’Angelo and Stevie Wonder. The band is a young diverse group that blends offshore influences with a New Zealand essence. The group was created by Steph Brown and Sara-Jane Auva’a and features some of New Zealand’s top young talent. Highlights of the band’s performances include the 2002 Silver Scroll Awards where they performed Che Fu’s winning song Misty Frequencies.

Composer and keyboardist, Stephanie Brown, performed in Anika Moa’s Australian, Europe and New Zealand touring band. She has performed with Chris Isaac and for the opening of Auckland’s Black Eyed Peas concert with funk band One Million Dollars. She also performed at the launch of Peter Jackson’s second Lord of the Rings film ‘The Two Towers’. Steph is a regular performer at venues such as Deschlers, Galatos, Khuja Lounge and the Tauranga Jazz Festival (best keyboard soloist). She has performed on television programmes ‘Good Morning’ and TV One’s ‘Breakfast’ show.

Vocalist Sara-Jane Auva’a has performed at the Sydney International Jazz festival, and most acclaimed the Monterey Jazz Festival (USA), an invitation only international event. She has performed overseas throughout America, Australia and the Pacific Islands. She also performed a solo song in the 2002 Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park to an audience of over 200,000 people which was then played on national television. She is a member of top Pacific group Pacific Soul which spent 5 weeks on the top40-charts.com charts in the top 30 world top R’n’B songs.

Sara has featured in television shows such as TV Two's 'Big Time' and TV One's 'Breakfast' and 'Good Morning'. She released a single on TV Two's 'Mai Time' in 2000 and has performed with Ma-V-Elle.

The Artistry released their first single ‘Preachin’ to My Baby’ in May 2002 and this has been played on National Radio and b-net stations. National Radio’s Liz Barry opened her show with The Artistry and complimented them on their “wonderful sound and their wonderful harmonies.” They perform regularly at Khuja lounge and around Auckland and are releasing more material to radio early 2003.

Junior has previously performed with Te Vaka.

Band Members:
Sara-Jane Auva’a (vocal)
Steph Brown (keys)
Damian Hauwai (guitar)
Junior Turua (bass)
Paul Taylor (drums)