The OXO CUBANS & TAPANUI SCHOOL "CONCERT FOR A NEW PLAYGROUND"

In their 28th year of performing, iconic Dunedin band THE OXO CUBANS return to the West Otago Community Centre Theatre in Tapanui with a Fundraising Concert for Tapanui School's new playground.

THE OXO CUBANS During their diverse careers, Craig Reeves, Doug Wright & Marcel Rodeka have shared the stage with a variety of iconic national and international performers including Queen, The Bellamy Brothers, Tom T Hall, Johnny Ray, Max Merritt, Rob Guest, Brian Cadd, Ricky Scaggs, Jimmy Barnes, Joan Armatrading, Mother Goose, Emmy Lou Harris, Midge Marsden, The Dave Hole Blues Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tammy Wynette, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Sir Bob Geldof. Based in Dunedin New Zealand since 1993, the Oxos brand of dynamic entertainment and quality musicianship covers a wide range of musical styles and is enjoyed by appreciative music fans from all parts of the planet. The band’s philosophy is to involve, encourage and promote local musicians and crew, resulting in an Oxo membership of over 200 Dunedin artists and a number of New Zealand & Australian national and international performers. Over the past 20 years Oxo musicians have been an integral part of the Dunedin arts community. They are long-standing performing members of the Dunedin Operatic Society, The Southern Sinfonia, The Fortune Professional Theatre, Calder Prescott’s Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra, The Dunedin Festival of the Arts, the University of Otago Contemporary Music Faculty and the award winning St Kilda Brass. The band has established a strong bond with Dunedin and southern New Zealand through performances for community organizations including The Otago Community Hospice, The Life Education Trust, The Southland M.S. Society, Youth First, The Cancer Society, the Volunteer Fire Service, The Dunedin Santa Parade Trust, the Malcam Trust, the Regent Theatre 24-hour Book sale, the Dunedin New Year’s Eve Octagon Concert and other community projects. It could be the core Oxo Trio playing a café gig or house party or the Oxo 4, 5, or 6 piece "Big Combo" packing the dancefloor at a wedding reception. The 16-piece Oxo Country Rock Roadshow playing the Rodeo Circuit or the Oxo Classic Rhythm & Blues Big Band headlining a music festival, civic concert or corporate event. An Oxo Cubans performance guarantees the audience a great time of excellent music and lively entertainment.

Joining the OXOS for this community event are two outstanding artists. 

CHET O'CONNELL has earned a formidable reputation as one of New Zealand’s most dynamic and in-demand guitarists. 

A fine vocalist and entertainer in his own right, his vast musical ability and experience have enabled him to move freely around the music scene, working with a variety of artists across many genres. 

In constant demand on the touring circuit and in the studio, the professionalism, passion and energy that Chet brings to his music has made him the first point of call for several leading national and international entertainers.

Artists he has shared the stage with include guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel, Dr John, Kenny Rogers, Joe Cocker, Cher, Gerry and the Pacemakers and New Zealand veterans Jackie Clarke and Hammond Gamble.

In his role as Musical Director and guitarist for legendary Kiwi Bluesman Midge Marsden, Chet has performed several concerts with the Oxo Cubans.

He has released four albums of his own and works as a solo artist or with his own band.

JEFF REA first realized a love for music when one of his older sisters came home one weekend with a guitar. It was 1965, and the Beatles were hitting their straps. He started learning classical piano when he was eight and not long after began playing guitar, playing along to the sounds of the Doobie Brothers, Uriah Heap and Black Sabbath. As a teenager he rediscovered the acoustic guitar and started listening to Jim Croce, Don McLean and John Denver, the latter having a big influence on his musical journey.
 
While performing in various bands throughout Otago and Southland, he won the first MLT Songwriting Award which was to be the springboard for his debut album ‘First Steps’, recorded in 1980. Shortly after, Jeff found himself doing TV shows including ‘Threshold Promotion Company’, ‘Stars on Sunday’, ‘With a Bucket on Your Head’ but more importantly, ‘That’s Country’, on which he would soon become a regular. It was here he met American country artist Gary Morris. The two hit it off and Morris encouraged Jeff to come to the States and work for him.
 
Starting as a roadie, Rea worked his way through Morris’ organisation, ending up as part of Morris’ band, a writer for his publishing company and helping run his organisation. Before he and his family returned home in 1995, Rea recorded his second album ‘Full Circle’, which was produced by Morris.
 
Back in New Zealand, Jeff continued to perform, often with Dunedin's Oxo Cubans. He is a founding and ongoing member of The New Zealand Songwriters Trust and continues to be involved in Musical Theatre. Jeff travels to America each year to play with Gary Morris on his Christmas tour. November 2017 saw him in Nashville recording his third album ‘Who I Am’ released May 2018. Jeff

is looking forward to touring with the album and getting in front of people with his music – something he still loves as much now as when he started.