Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Shapeshifter’s Journey. Older than the dinosaurs, Te Wheke (meaning octopus in te reo Māori) is the most intriguing of creatures and a master of disguise - changing colour, shape and texture. Composer Tamara Smith saw this extraordinary process take place while snorkelling – and saw a rock transform before her eyes into an octopus. She has been enchanted by them ever since. This composition takes the listener into Te Wheke’s journey of the underwater world of transformation, with some fantastic moments from Tamara Smith on flute.
Performed by Symposium Dectet, director Alex van den Broek, at the Great Hall, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Christchurch, 26 June 2025. Presented by Jazz Club.
Audio mixed by Alex van den Broek and engineered by Hunter Craig. Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
Symposium Dectet are: Tamara Smith (flute), Jimmy Rainey and Gwyn Reynolds (saxes) Cameron Pearce and Barrett Hocking (trumpets), Pablo Ruiz Henao and Will Kao (trombones), Tom Rainey (piano), Mike Story (bass), and Jono Blackie (drums).
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Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
The Shapeshifter’s Journey. Older than the dinosaurs, Te Wheke (meaning octopus in te reo Māori) is the most intriguing of creatures and a master of disguise - changing colour, shape and texture. Composer Tamara Smith saw this extraordinary process take place while snorkelling – and saw a rock transform before her eyes into an octopus. She has been enchanted by them ever since. This composition takes the listener into Te Wheke’s journey of the underwater world of transformation, with some fantastic moments from Tamara Smith on flute.
Performed by Symposium Dectet, director Alex van den Broek, at the Great Hall, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Christchurch, 26 June 2025. Presented by Jazz Club.
Audio mixed by Alex van den Broek and engineered by Hunter Craig. Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
Symposium Dectet are: Tamara Smith (flute), Jimmy Rainey and Gwyn Reynolds (saxes) Cameron Pearce and Barrett Hocking (trumpets), Pablo Ruiz Henao and Will Kao (trombones), Tom Rainey (piano), Mike Story (bass), and Jono Blackie (drums).
--
Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
