…..”Te whanau a Apanui soul meets Rarotongan groove and hypnotises with Israeli melody on top......what a combination.....”

Led by the strong vocals and original songwriting of Cat Tunks, and joined by a stellar line up of heavyweight Auckland musicians including Mark Baynes (keys – King Kapisi/), Jason Orme (drums – Grand Central Band/Nairobi Trio) and Ben Turua (Bass – Nathan Haines/Lewis Mcallum Orchestra), and introducing the unique world flavours and intense energy of Israeli guitarist Arli Liberman.

With a style that BSD refer to as 'organic to the wild west coast' - an attitude referring to Cat's upbringing on the wild black sand beaches of Auckland's West Coast, installing a certain style of 'songwriting, and inspiration – unafraid of genre blending and are as comfortable pumping drum n bass jungle, as they are doing sexy and slinky jazz inspired groove that speaks of their jazz trained roots.

The result is intoxicating guitar intwined with fat beats and whiskey smooth vocals, laced with a sophisticated palette of jazz piano stylings to ice the cake. The captivating stage presence that is winning audiences Nationwide and across the Pacific is undeniable.

These are musicians at the top of the game in Aotearoa.

Their successful 2010/2011 season featuring in many high profile festivals & venues across New Zealand and the Pacific continues, and with several TV and radio appearances under their belt including the recent release of the single 'Secrets' BlackSandDiva is working on their second album after the debut Chameleon late 2009 – a Te Waka Toi/Creative New Zealand funded project that will see BlackSandDiva break all the rules as they mix Taonga Puoro, Jazz, Electronica, r n b, soul and funk - before the head off again to tour the Pacific and Australian Festival circuit.Rawahi – the highly anticipated second album – will be released at the end of October 2011.

Recent main stage gigs of note:Waiheke International Jazz Festival 2011, Tauranga International Jazz Festival 2011, Nelson Jazz festival 2010 & 2011, supporting slots/double bills with 1814, Soljah, Sola Rosa, D-Dub, Samoa International Jazz & Blues Festival 2010, Waitangi Festival at Waitangi Treaty Grounds 2009,Titirangi Festival of Music (headline 2009/ 2010), Mission Bay Jazz & Bues Streetfest 2010 and Main stage 2011, Auckland Zoo Music Series 2009, Auckland venues include Leigh Sawmill, Khuja Lounge, Rakinos, Nuffield Street Brew Bar, appearances on TV1 Good Morning Show, 95 Bfm, Kiwi Fm, Irish TV Channel TG4, and many independent presentations,

“Fresh funk grooves meets sexy acid jazz, to swing into an organic style that rocks from wild west coast soul......”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dHAErYzrokhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyQjJFkttdo

Latest single release 'Secrets' available on Amplifier/i tunes

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10037663/Secrets-BlackSandDiva.mp3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dHAErYzrok

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyQjJFkttdo

Latest single release 'Secrets' available on Amplifier/i tunes

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10037663/Secrets-BlackSandDiva.mp3

The more jazz inspired single Blue Eyed Girlshttp://dl.dropbox.com/u/10037663/01%20Blue%20Eyed%20Girls.mp3

The funk groove of Righteous Man:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10037663/Righteous%20Man%20lm%2019-8-10.mp3

"We're thrilled to have BlackSandDiva return to the 2011 Nelson Jazz Festival, withthe biggest turn out yet at Woollaston Estate for BlackSandDiva we knew we wantedthem back and had asked them before the 2010 festival had even finished.................."

Rowena Richards – Director/Organiser – The Woollaston Nelson National Jazzfest

'BlackSandDiva will undoubtedly become a significant player in the NZ MusicIndustry"Lydia Jenkins - NZ Musician Magazine –

On the Samoa Pacific Island Jazz Festival:

' …..definitely the unexpected surprise of the tour, your sound definitely won over the locals, jazz purists and the rest! I look forward to having you in Australia soon...............”Jessica Cunning – Firefly Media, Sydney.

...BlackSandDiva wowed the crowd kick starting New Years Day in Fairfield Park with a bang.......

The Nelson Mail – Jan 2nd 2011