Biography
Hailing from New Zealand, the self-described South Pacific fusion ensemble Te Vaka specializes in original material drawn from multiple Polynesian traditions. Singer and songwriter Opetaia Foa'i established the group in 1995, and its sound fuses captivating vocal harmonies, pulsating rhythms, and traditional dance steps with contemporary pop elements. Their self-titled debut appeared in 1997, yet wider recognition arrived with the 1999 successor Ki Mua, which topped South Pacific mainstream radio playlists and registered on world-music charts globally. Throughout the next ten years the band became a regular presence at international festivals, collecting honors for releases such as Tutuki (2004) and Haoloto (2009) while performing at venues that ranged from London’s Royal Festival Hall to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Around the time of their initial North American tours in 2010 and 2011, Te Vaka issued their seventh album, Havili, exposing an entirely new audience to a distinctive blend that draws on the cultures of Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and New Zealand. Shortly afterward Disney invited Foa'i to compose several songs for the Polynesian-themed animated feature Moana. Additional Te Vaka members contributed to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated film, which reached theaters in 2016. The year that followed saw both a Greatest Hits compilation and the ensemble’s inaugural all-percussion project, Te Vaka Beats: Percussion Album, Vol. 1.
Albums
