Stars shine on Iberia nights

Renowned Greytown-based crooner Steve Carlin plays an Iberia at Night performance at the Iberia restaurant in Masterton on July 17 as part of an expanded live weekly music showcase.

Iberia Restaurant owners have boosted their stable of Wairarapa musicians and launched a weekly roster of Iberia at Night performances over the coming months.

Co-owner Marlon Tortoza said the Masterton eatery had been hosting live music evenings since March and a popular note had been struck with diners.

"We wanted local musicians who play the right music - they have to fit the bill for a restaurant - and what we're trying to do is also create a residence for the musicians and help get a following for each of them."

Mr Tortoza said he and co-owner Wayne DellaBarca decided to retain consistent entertainment at their premises and, after speaking with Mark Rogers, owner of the

Masterton promotion company Up With People, had booked more than two months' worth of hand-picked musical acts for the Queen St restaurant.

Restaurant manager Hayley Fraser said diners "absolutely loved the music", with some returning time and again to be entertained while dining, including a couple who often danced and attracted other diners to the floor as well.

Mr Rogers said all artists on the Iberia at Night roster hailed from Wairarapa. They included renowned Greytown-based crooner Steve Carlin, who stages his Songs from the Swing Era show transtasman, covering Rat Pack legends Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Carlin boasts a career spanning 15 years as a professional musician before he turned his attention to swing, and the vocal styles of the legendary crooners from a bygone day.

Last Thursday, Greytown-based pianist David Mills and drummer Vic Singe launched the expanded music roster, with Mills one of the first to initially perform at the restaurant. The duo specialise in classic jazz and honky-tonk, adding "a distinctive twist" on classics from the likes of Van Morrison and Miles Davis.

The Elderberries also feature on the Iberia at Night roster and are a three-piece offshoot of the long-time easy-listening Wairarapa group the Verandah Band.

Veteran Wairarapa performers Bob Cooper-Grundy and Kate Marshall will also appear at Iberia as Bob & Kate, and "are rightly considered to be two of the finest musicians in the area", who boast a covers repertoire ranging from Dylan to old-school blues.

Award-winning Wairarapa pianist and vocalist Andre Mendes da Costa rounds out the roster with his "live and easy-listening music", refined after more than three decades as a performer.

Kingsford Brown duo Stefan Brown and Pat McKenna will also play at the restaurant over coming Thursdays, after several successful and popular appearances at the venue.
Mr Tortoza said the musical fare was proving so popular he urged diners to book for the Thursday night line-ups.

He and Mr DellaBarca may extend the bill of entertainment into the summer months, he said, and also could host larger bands for a cover price, depending on the continued success of Iberia at Night.

For more information, visit www.iberia.co.nz or call (06) 370 9285.