Musicians love international jam

BY EMMA DANGERFIELD

Playing together for the past decade, Kaikoura's iconic two-piece band Cuverz is likely be recognised by most people in town.

Tony Reedy and Bob Clifford are old hats when it comes to entertaining Kaikoura's residents.

They play regularly at bars and restaurants and the school yard market, as well as numerous other events, particularly community-based.

With an eclectic mix of musical preferences between them, Tony and Bob say there's not much that doesn't fit into their repertoire, from country and blues right through to heavy rock.

Tony has been involved in music since the 60s, playing in his garage with a friend to begin with.

"I only knew three chords back then – but I thought I was great!"

He has thankfully progressed since then, and was a part of Kaikoura's country music club for a number of years during the late 70s and 80s.

From there Tony moved on to play bass with a number of different bands, before taking off on his own for a few years, touring the West Coast and playing gigs.

Bob has also been playing guitar for quite some time, having been given his first electric guitar, a stringless Yamaha, at the age of 16.

"Someone had left it at a campsite," he recalls.

"I had played acoustic before that, just strumming, but after I got the electric one I took it up more seriously."

The pair have been playing regularly together now since 2001, although they also played on and off even before that.

They first met at the Blue Pacific Hotel, where Tony played with the musicians' club, and this is what started them off on their road together.

Since then, their shared love of music has seen them play with all manner of musicians.

A particular favourite for both of them is jam night, every Friday at the Strawberry Tree pub, where there is never a dull moment.

"That's great fun because we get to play with different tourists – musicians from all over the world," says Tony.

"We both really enjoy that."

Other locals also join them for the jam sessions from time to time, including Steve Procter who regularly joins them at events around town too.

Tony and Bob have a great set up with a caravan and generator which means they are fully mobile.

They are very much involved in community events which they are always happy to support, having played for the last couple of years at Fyffe House's music on the lawn, as well as entertaining the crowdsat Children's Day on Sunday.

- © Fairfax NZ News