Jazz in te reo Māori

The release of E Rere Rā by duo Allana Goldsmith (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tai) and Mark Baynes is just the third straight-ahead jazz album to make extensive use of te reo.

In this show Nick Tipping checks out tracks from E Rere Rā, and highlights the work of other artists combining te reo with jazz. 

See the lyrics and English translations of Goldsmith Baynes' waiata further down the page.

More about the musicians featured in this programme:

Goldsmith Baynes

The Goldsmith Baynes project is a celebration between two musical souls. Allana Goldsmith (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tai) and Mark Baynes have worked together for over 10 years. Selected by the New Zealand Music Council to create a jazz piece, Goldsmith Baynes chose Tīpuna as part of Waiata Anthems 2021. Tīpuna loosely translates to Ancestors, and Goldsmith’s vocals mix te reo Māori with English.

Whirimako Black

In 2006 and 2007 respected singer Whirimako Black (Ngāti Tuhoe, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Ranginui, Kahungunu, Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Te Arawa, and Ngāti Awa) released two albums called Soul Sessions and Whirimako Black Sings. They featured translations by her mother Anituatua Black of popular jazz standards into te reo.

Lisa Davies and Te Reo Tautito

Ōtautahi musicians Lisa Davies (Kāi Tahu) and Taurapa (Te Rarawa; Te Aupōuri) are working to translate jazz standards into te reo, and are making their translations available for the public via their Instagram account.

Also check out their performance via the Live at Alex's YouTube channel below, and this interview with RNZ's Lynn Freeman.

Mohi: E Kii

Singer-songwriter Mohi (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) released this smoky single in 2021. He says "E Kii speaks to the growing gap between the privileged upper class and the lower class in Aotearoa-New Zealand. I utilise a mixture of reo slang, metaphor, whakataukī and whakatauākī to form the lyrics that bring this message to life."

Goldsmith Baynes lyrics

Translations of Goldsmith Baynes' lyrics from this show (reproduced with permission):

E Taku Tau / My Darling (love song)

E Taku Tau - My darling

Piri mai ki ahau - Stay close to me

Ko koe taku Tau - You are my sweetheart

te tihi o taku manawa - the light in my heart

Ka wawata noa, Pūmau te aroha

I can only dream our love endures

Tata mai ki a au - come close to me

Noho mārire mai - Remain indubitably beside me

Awhi kiri ana – Embrace -of the skin

E taku tau - My darling

Piri mai ki ahau - Stay close to me

Mo ake tonu - forever

Hei rau aroha - as a symbol of love

Tīpuna /Ancestors - (Original English Lyrics )

I hear the song of the Tūī in the tree, Waiatatia mai / Sing to me

I hear the sound of the wind blowing free, Kōhimu mai / Whisper to me

And in everything my Tīpuna will guide me

Like the river runs to the sea, Tohua mai rā / Guide me

I hold close to the stars at night, Kua whetūrangitia / You have become stars

Where my ancestors wait for me, Pīataata mai rā/ Shine down

I feel peace within, your love leads me.

Awhi kau, Aue, Rangona ana te aroha a roto. / Embraced, The love is felt within.

I hear the call of the kaikaranga, Karangatia mai / Call to me

I see the people welcome me home, Pōwhiritia mai / Welcome me

And always in everything, my Tīpuna will guide me.

Like the river runs to the sea, Tohua mai rā. / Guide me.

Pīata kau ana / Shine on brightly

*Mourning the death of a loved one

He aituā - A tragedy

Me pēhea rā - What can be done?

Ua i te rangi, Ua i aku kamo - Tears fall from my eyes like rain falls from the sky. (an ancient saying used for mourning)

Haere atu rā koe, Haere ki pāmamao - Bidding farewell, for the spirit to returns to its rightful place

Matapoporetanga o te ngākau nei - Cherished one in our hearts

Auē, kai ngā whetū e iri ana - Hang suspended with the stars

Tō wairua ki te pō - Your spirit to the night

Auē, ō tīpuna kua mene ka atawhai ki te pō - Your ancestors gathered beside you, caring for you in the afterlife.

Tēnei wā pōuri, Me aha hoki? - During this mournful time, what am I to do?

Taku kuru pounamu kua makere i ahau - My precious one lost from me.

Pīata kau ana taku kahurangi, Auē - Shine on brightly my darling

MUSIC DETAILS: