Grand Central Band
The Grand Central Band was a New Zealand-based band formed in 1997 by Chris Melville.[1] The band moved through several different line-ups, and over the years employed and guested around 70 different musicians, and esteemed local celebrities including Nathan Haines, Midge Marsden, Maria Paterson (bassist for Dave Dobbyn/Neil Finn), and Kim Willoughby (from When The Cat's Away). [citation needed]
The band's regular performance at the Grand Central Bar in Ponsonby, Auckland, extended to 17 years, earning them a reputation as a 'go-to gig' for other musicians and music students.
The Grand Central Band released their first album Cook Street Sessions (Rhythmworks) in 2000,[2] produced by Eddie Rayner,[3] formerly from the iconic kiwi band Split Enz and had favourable writeups. The album sold out. The band then self-produced their second album Brightest Star (Rhythmworks)[4] and again had some great local reviews. They sold out of this album too.
They were seen in Vanuatu at the inaugural jazz festival in Port Vila.[citation needed]
They disbanded in August 2014.
Their two albums Cook Street Sessions and Brightest Star were made available on streaming services on 27 July 2018.
Members
- Chris Melville – vocals
- Alan Brown – Rhodes piano, clavinet and melodica
- Karika "Junior" Turua – bass
- Josh Sorenson – drums
- Dixon Nacey – guitar[2]
The band also allowed a variety of local students and working musicians onstage as part of the 'extended' band.
References
- ↑ "Grand Central Band - Muzic.NZ - Musicians & Bands". Muzic.NZ. 1 January 2000. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Chris Melville presents The Grand Central Band Cook Street sessions [sound recording]". National Library.
- ↑ Chris Melville Presents The Grand Central Band - Cook Street Sessions, 2000, retrieved 19 August 2026
- ↑ "Brightest Star". Muzic.NZ. 8 February 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
External links
- "Grand Central Band" at Blue Train, website of Alan Brown
- Brightest Star footage on YouTube