Nadene Pita's journey is woven of culture and heritage, innovation and technology. As a Ngātiwai and Ngāpuhi musician, composer, violist, and jazz singer, her creative expression traverses diverse realms, embracing contemporary, intercultural music, experimental jazz, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Based in Los Angeles and a recipient of the 2023 Emerging Artist Fellowship from the California Arts Council, Pita's musical odyssey is a testament to her multifaceted, creative practices and dedication to exploration.

 

In her album "Turning Arrows into Flowers," Nadene Pita takes listeners on a voyage through her eclectic influences and personal narrative. Drawing from her lineage as a New Zealander of Māori and Anglo-Celtic descent, with a dash of Portuguese on her father's side, and her childhood growing up as an immigrant in Australia. Her music resonates with South Pacific harmonies, Māori chants, and a kaleidoscope of sonic landscapes. From chamber pieces to tangos, from mutated funk to free electroacoustic improvisations, Pita's voice echoes the complexity of identity.

 

Continuing her evolution, Nadene embarks on a new electroacoustic project, “Wood, Wire and Bone," paying homage to traditional Māori instruments, intercultural music, jazz, contemporary dance, and video. It is a reflection on themes of family, nature, lineage, and intersectional feminism, where she addresses systems of power and privilege, challenging patriarchy, racism, and capitalism.

 

Collaborations with Tibetan monk Lama Tashi Norbu further fuel her exploration of sacred and experimental realms, offering musical dialogues that defy convention. Nadene's artistic voyage is also marked by meaningful collaborations, including her performances with the late master multi-instrumentalist David Ornette Cherry. Her role as a cross-cultural improviser, singer, and multi-instrumentalist with the leading Canadian Indigenous Arts Company, Red Sky Performance, underscores her commitment to bridging cultural divides and fostering artistic dialogue.

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With an MA in Contemporary Cross-Cultural Improvisation, Nadene Pita continues to chart musical horizons, guided by the rhythms of heritage, spirit, and the language of art.