The Formative Years
About La Musique Boutique and Pete Reilly
peter reilly
musical entertainer
Peter began singing before he’d learned to talk! His musical parents were especially fond of gypsy music. Peter is the eldest of Jim and Jan’s six sons. From an early age, the boys got in on the act as ‘The Gypsies’ – performing cabaret in some of Auckland’s top 70’s venues.
A classically trained treble, Peter says the highlight of his early career as a boy was singing Pie Jesu from Gabrielle Faure’s Requiem directed by Peter Godfrey with the Dorian Choir accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonic, recorded live to the radio.
With Max Cryer’s guidance, Peter went from classical singer to pop artist with appearances on ‘Happen Inn’, the ‘Ray Columbus Show’ and ‘Town & Around’. His live performances culminated at Super Pop 70 in Western Springs. Peter met and chatted with Prince Charles and Princess Anne that night. His treble voice broke in 1972, revealing his rich baritone.
Fast forward to 1996. Peter moved to Waiheke Island founding Chocolate Fish which became a popular choice for weddings, jazz festivals, birthdays, and corporate events.
Chocolate Fish morphed into The Buzz Bars, continuing to delight their customers with wonderful music. Jazz, Latin swinging blues or groovy pop. Whatever the preferred style, The Buzz Bars will have you moving and grooving.
1965-1966
He enrolled in 1966 at the age of nine and within a few months became the youngest member of the famed ‘St Peter’s Boys’ Choir’.
The choir had reached its dizzying heights in 1966 under Guyon Wells. Guyon put St Peter’s on the educational map with a superb choir and a level of excellence that was almost unbelievable. The choir toured the country, was on national television and released records’-
Mark Eyres
1969
The performance was recorded live and broadcast on radio nationwide. There are a few rare LP copies of this performance. If you find one, be prepared for an auditory feast!
1970’s
Shortly after this, in February 1970, he performed a track from the LP in a live nationwide telecast (Super Pop 70) attended by a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Western Springs Stadium. Despite awful weather 0ver 10,000 hardy souls were there to celebrate New Zealand’s best local pop artists, in the rain.
1980’S
Peter attended the Auckland Medical School from 1975 to 1979. After qualifying with a BHB (Bachelor of Human Biology) and MBChB (part 1) he returned to the performing arts, teaching music at the NZ Guitar Academy from 1980 to 1983. He began performing with performing in various jazz-rock ensembles (The Persuaders, Persia, The Incurable Romantix) and in 1984, joined the NZ cast of Evita to tour Hawaii.
1990’S
‘Moving to Waiheke was easily one of the best decisions I ever made’. Pete starts a new life on the island and launches Chocolate Fish, a band that became synonymous with Jazz festivals and weddings across the motu (island).
2000’S
Peter starts a family and while music is still a very central part of his life, career moves are made and the balancing act begins – something all musicians, artists and creatives are used to!
2020’S
Pete plays with a number of bands and musicians for weddings, corporate and other musical events.
where it started
A musical history
After leaving school, to earn a bit of extra pocket money, Peter and his five brothers joined their parent’s cabaret group, ‘The Gypsies’, entertaining in Auckland’s top night spots through the seventies. It included appearances on Happen Inn, The Ray Columbus Show and Town and Around.
1969
Pie Jesu
2020s
waiheke
STILL GOING STRONG
MUSICAL DIVERSITY
These days Peter performs as a solo singer-guitarist or with local Waiheke Island ensemble The Buzz Bars and a variety of other local and international musicians.
At 14, while performing songs from Peter’s newly released 45″ single on ‘Happen Inn’, his voice broke. He very quickly disappeared from the NZ music scene to pursue other interests. While at Auckland Grammar he played Rugby, won the Drama prize, and learned Classical Guitar. in 1984, Pete joined the NZ cast of Evita to tour Hawaii.
Looking for musical entertainment on waiheke?
waiheke island live music starts here!
So be it a wedding, birthday, corporate or charity function, talk to Peter about creating the perfect musical ambience at your next special event.