Sam Gauntlett (vocals) and Brad Kang (guitar) met at Ara Music Arts and have shared the stage in a variety of performances, playing as a duo and also as part of a larger band. Their profound musical connection is founded on a mutual love for jazz composers such as Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Ambrose Akinmusire, who continue to inspire and influence their sound.
On stage Sam and Brad have a captivating presence and an exciting musical interplay as they bring a fresh take on your favourite standards.
Brad Kang has moved back home to Christchurch after a spell in the United States earning his Bachelor of Music in jazz guitar at the prestigious University of North Texas. During his time there, he was part of the world-renowned One O’Clock Lab Band. Their album ‘Lab 2015’, which Kang was a part of as a composer and player, received a Grammy nomination for one of the tracks ‘Neil’. Kang has performed with household names in the international jazz scene such as Bobby McFerrin, Arturo Sandoval, Doc Severinson, Mike LeDonne, Wycliffe Gordon, Mike Clark and Adam Larson. He is a currently part of the faculty at The Ara Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch.
Sam Gauntlett is a Christchurch based jazz vocalist, drawing on the influence of improvisers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, and Cyrille Aimee. She is currently studying in her final year at Ara Music Arts, and performs regularly in a range of settings around Christchurch. Recently, Sam has been working on a number of projects, including a series of concerts showcasing the music of artists such as Cyrille Aimee, Esperanza Spalding, and Robert Glasper