Auckland

Across the Board

• (09) 418 3598
• Website Across the Board
• E-mail Click here to email Across the Board

Band leader/Pianist/Vocalist Murray McIlwraith has been a professional musician for 25 years. In 1977 he gave up his job as an anthropologist in Melbourne and headed for England to pursue an unrelenting desire to sing and play jazz and modern piano. As a child he studied classical piano, attaining his A.T.C.L (performers) in his last year at high school.

Tuition in the UK included study at the West London Institute(Twickenham), the Cleo Laine/John Dankworth School of Jazz and Modern Music(Wavendon), and private lessons under some of Britians top jazz pianists, including Brian Lemon, Bill le Sage, Pat Smythe, and Michael Garrick. He did his ‘apprentiship’ playing and singing solo and in groups, in London clubs, wine bars, pubs and hotels.

Since 1985 his dance and jazz bands have performed regularly at Auckland’s hotels and function centers – predominately business functions, weddings, private parties and balls.

Outside Auckland his bands have played at a number of well known venues including Millbrook Resort and The Skyline(Queenstown), Huka Lodge(Taupo), The Chateau(Tongariro National Park), Royal Port Nicholas Yacht Club(Wellington) and Copthorne Resort(Bay of Islands). His bands have performed at functions for famous celebrities including Mick Jagger, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Collins and Robin Williams. His music is played on National Radio and has been featured on Air New Zealand’s international in-flight entertainment.