Bill Sevesi - A Lifetime In Music

Bill Sevesi is to be honoured as the 2015 APRA Inductee into the NZ Music Hall of Fame. The 92 year old's long career began the early 1950s in the Auckland inner city suburb of Newton. The much loved band leader Bill Sevesi, and his band the Islanders, played a residency at the Orange Ballroom that lasted for 16 years.

He has mentored many musicians, recorded a large catalogue of albums and fulfilled his dream of ukuleles being taught to kids in schools .

Trevor Reekie visits Bill at his Mt Roskill home to talk about the music that has been so kind to him during his lifetime.

Related audio

• Bill Sevesi on Nine to Noon 2013
• Blue Smoke: Cowboys and Hawaiians

Music details

Artist: Bill Sevesi and his Islanders
Song: Tiger Shark
Composer: Hodgkinson
Album: 25 Hawaiian Favourites
Label: Ode Records

Artist: Sione Aleke
Song: Loka Siliva
Composer: Trad arr Aleke
Album: n/a
Label: Rajon Music Group

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Tahiti Nui
Composer: Sevesi
Album: The Magic Steel Guitar
Label: Rajon Music Group

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Meama Chimes
Composer: Sevesi
Album: 25 Hawaiian Favourites
Label: Ode Records

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Hula Lady
Composer: Sevesi
Album: Hula Lady
Label: Rajon Music Group

Artist: Bill Sevesi Team
Song: Isa Lei
Composer: trad – arranged Bill sevesi
Album: Bamboo Island
Label: rajon Music group

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Steel Guitar Haunt With The Viking Studio Orchestra
Composer: Sevesi
Album: 25 Hawaiian Favourites
Label: Ode Records

Artist: Tex Morton
Song: Teardrops in my heart
Composer: Morton
Album: A Cowboys Life is good enough for me
Label: Jasmine Records

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Come To Me With Mavis Rivers
Composer: Blennerhaasset, Kay
Album: 25 Hawaiian Favourites
Label: Ode Records

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Analani E With Daphne Walker
Composer: Usaarca, Gerda
Album: 25 Hawaiian Favourites
Label: Ode Records

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Waihi Moon With Daphne Walker
Composer: Bill Sevesi
Album: 25 Hawaiian Favourites
Label: Ode Records

Artist: Ronnie Sunden & Will Jess and the Jessters
Song: Sea of Love
Composer: Baptiste
Album: Kiwi Nostalgia Hits of the 60’s
Label: BMG

Artist: Ronnie Sunden & Will Jess and the Jessters
Song: Bye Bye Baby Goodbye
Composer: Frank McNutty
Album: Ronnie
Label: Viking

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: South Sea Affair With Trevor Edmondson
Composer: Edmondson
Album: 25 Hawaiian Favourites
Label: Ode Records

Artist: 3000 kiwileles
Song: Mali Mai
Composer: n/a
Album: 2013 New Zealand Ukulele Festival
Label: courtesy of New Zealand Ukulele Trust

Artist: Bill Sevesi
Song: Te Matangi
Composer:
Album: Hula Lady
Label: Rajon Music group