Auckland entertainer Lionel Reekie, who has performed extensively in many of New Zealand's top venues, is a member of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand and has appeared on stage as a soloist in many countries including USA, Europe, China, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2007 he was a guest vocalist for the Auckland Symphony Orchestra at their “Last Night of the Proms Concerts”, performing songs from modern musical shows.

As well as being a versatile singer and musician, Lionel is also an accomplished conductor.  In August 2007 Lionel conducted the New Zealand North Shore Accordion Orchestra in Washington DC and New York, including a concert on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.

In September 2002 Lionel conducted the Musicale Accordion Orchestra during their concert tour of China.  One of these concerts was televised by a Chinese television network.

Lionel (AIRMT) is also Manager of the Music Education Centres (Henderson and North Shore). He holds a New Zealand Accordion Association Teacher’s Certificate.

Lionel's professional expertise has been honoured with many awards and nominations including:

2006 & 2007 Nominated for the Agnew Excellence Award - The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1997 Nominated for Top Male Vocalist - The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1996 Nominated for the "Shure Microphone" award for most professional act - The Variety Artists Club of NZ
1994-1997 Nominated 4 times as top New Zealand Instrumentalist - The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1991 Winner of the "Rising Star" award – The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
1990 Winner of the "Show Business" class at the AFNA competition ( USA )

Other Performances as Guest Artist include:

2005, 2006, 2007 Gold Coast – appearances at Southport RSL, Sharks Club, Albert Waterways
Annually since 1992 South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival (New Zealand)
1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2008 Australian Accordion Teachers Association International Championships
1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 Accordion Teachers Guild International and American Accordionists’ Assn (USA)
1994 Cotati Accordion Festival (USA)
1993 Frankfurt Musik Messe (Germany)

Musical Background

1985-1997, Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra member and was lead vocalist on the 1992 and 1996 tours through Europe, as well as the 1994 tour of USA/Canada. The orchestra's 1994 CD "On Tour" featured much of the programme from these three tours.

Lionel was a featured soloist at the American Accordionists’ Association festivals in Houston, Texas (1995), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1996) & Washington DC (1997). At these festivals, Lionel gave several concerts, and held workshops on MIDI with accordion.

Recordings:

No stranger to radio and television, Lionel has had performances and interviews broadcast throughout the world. In 1987 Lionel recorded an album, " Lionel Reekie Sings", under the ODE record label and in December 1996 he released a CD entitled “Starlight” using MIDI accordion with vocals. Lionel has also featured on many other recordings.

YouTube

You can new view Lionel on YouTube, playing both Domino and Danny Boy.

CD
"Starlight", which features a selection of tunes from Lionel's extensive repertoire, using MIDI accordion and vocals.

Sound files:

.wav files are of high quality and are for PC users.
.au files are of medium quality and are for both PC and Mac users.


Piece Time .wav file .au file
Lambada 24 sec 518k 188k
Cubanola 23 sec 501k 182k
My Way 29 sec 629k 229k
Quando Quando 20 sec 439k 160k
Unchained Melody 60 sec 474k 173k
I Swear 22 sec 647k 470k

Contact Details
Phone: +64 9 444 5654 (Music Education Centre) 
Fax: +64 9 444 2806
Mobile: +64 (0274) 799788
email: l_reekie@xtra.co.nz

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