Tamatoa T Tuhou
A jazz saxophonist and humorist from the '03
Tamatoa Tuhou is an upcoming jazz musician from Christchurch. When he's not playing his video ga-... Apologies, "music", he can be found playing in big bands or jazz jams anywhere in the '03.
He is currently completing his Bachelor's in Music at Te Pūkenga Ara - Music Arts.
Tamatoa T Tuhou
A jazz saxophonist and humorist from the '03
Born and living in Christchurch, Tamatoa has always wanted to play saxophone since he was a child – inspired by a painting of a little boy playing tenor saxophone (a painting he still owns to this day).
Before learning saxophone, Tamatoa picked up the bagpipes in 2012, under the tutelage of the Christchurch Metropolitan Pipe Band. Tamatoa has since performed at many social events, parades and competitions (both solo and nationals) until 2018. He also joined the Grade 4 Canterbury Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band for nearly two years. Playing the bagpipes eased Tamatoa into the saxophone, as both instruments (he reckons :/ ) were similar. He received his first alto saxophone in 2013, and picked up the tenor saxophone in 2015.
Musically, he is inspired by the likes of Coltrane and Washington Jr, while still keeping close to his homely roots with the humour and stage presence of Billy T James.
He is currently completing his Bachelor’s in Music at Te Pūkenga Ara – Music Arts.