Wednesday, March 12   10:00 p.m.
Esther's Follies   (525 E 6th St)

Best known in her native New Zealand for a well-received EP in 2005 that was followed by her 2006 chart-topping single “Bathe in the River” from the acclaimed New Zealand feature film No. 2, Hollie Smith watched her first solo album LONG PLAYER go platinum just days after release in New Zealand and is now poised to bring her soulful jazz stylings to the U.S.

At only 24, Smith shows the grace of a seasoned performer with a deep soulful voice that truly belies her age. An untraditionalist when it comes to songwriting, she likes to write in the moment. “I don’t really write love songs - mainly because I need to feel passion for what I’m singing,” she explains. “And if I’m singing a love song for a person who’s not around any more, the passion isn’t really there. So really I like to write reminders to myself, reminders of where I really draw my inspiration from.”

Born & bred in Auckland & now based in Wellington, Hollie started writing her own songs at age 12 and began performing live at various Auckland jazz bars a year later. Upon reaching high school, she formed a small jazz combo which went on to win a number of awards at the Tauranga National Jazz Festival in New Zealand [including Hollie’s win as Best Vocalist], while also making special guest appearances at the prestigious Manly Jazz Festival in Sydney, Australia for two years. After a stint recording in the US, Hollie returned to New Zealand where she rediscovered her musical roots, quickly establishing herself as a fixture on the jazz scene. She has since held residencies at some of New Zealand’s most highly regarded night spots where her Sunday night shows developed a legendary reputation.

The release of her first full album, LONG PLAYER, has been all about a personal achievement for Smith. “For the first time I’ve really put everything into an album. It’s taken five years of work to get it made and I am really confident and happy with it. Which was really all I wanted.”

Prepare to be engaged…