This band of brothers - Chris, Richard, Robert, Rod and Daryl Prowse, have all followed their own musical paths for many years, but have also teamed up in many different combinations.
Between them they have played with Marg Layton, Rodger Fox, The Drifters and The Inkspots, among others. They've played folk, blues, ,jazz, classical, country and cabaret.
At their concert this month we get to hear all five playing together.
Chris (guitar/vocal) won a Tui Award for best folk album in 2009 for 'Trouble on the Waterfront'. He has been actively involved in the Wellington folk and blues scene. He has recently performed and recorded with his daughter Eva Prowse of Fly My Pretties fame.
Richard (double bass/vocal) has spent many years playing improvised music, especially jazz and folk music. He has performed with Rodger Fox, Gordon Brisker (USA) and many other jazz and folk musicians. He is probably best recognised for his virtuoso arco playing.
Robert (violin) has a long history of playing in pit orchestras for shows and performing in different genres. He and Richard first performed together in the 1960s playing, among other things, Baroque violin duets.
Rod (mandolin/guitar/vocal) has spent a lot of his time playing mandolin and bass guitar in country bands around Wellington. He has also turned his hand to song writing and his songs are a feature of The Prowse Brothers' repertoire.
Daryl (banjo/piano) is a multi-instrumentalist who performs equally proficiently on saxophone, guitar, piano, double bass and banjo. He has toured New Zealand as musical director for various international artists such as The Drifters and The Inkspots. He also runs a very successful cabaret band with his wife Fran.
SUPPORT ACT
Supporting the Prowse Brothers will be a classy Acoustic Routes trio. Ron Craig (vocals, guitar), Christine Roseveare (vocals, bass) and Andrea Coop (vocals, violin). They have been playing together for more than three years, building up a repertoire of songs which they describe as folk with a country feel. Their set will feature material from the likes of Julie and Buddy Miller, Utah Phillips and Chet Atkins and strong instrumental playing enriched with vocal harmonies.
