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Hero image for Bill Sevesi's Dream

Bill Sevesi's Dream

Television (Full Length) – 2011

This Artsville TV documentary plucks its way through a Kiwi-focused history of the ukulele, from Waikiki to Wellington, using the dream of “godfather of Polynesian music” Bill Sevesi as its starting point: namely “that the children would be playing the ukulele all over the country.” Presenter Gemma Gracewood (of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra) reveals the instrument’s Pacific adoption and burgeoning popularity, and meets acolytes of ‘the uke’: from Herman Pi’ikea Clark to Jennifer Ward-Lealand, to Sevesi strumming with onetime pupil Sione Aleki.

I figure if you stick with something long enough eventually it comes into fashion ... but I didn't expect to be proved right on the ukulele front.
– Graeme Cairns, McGillicuddy Serious Party founder and Big Muffin Serious Band player

Produced by

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3rd Party Productions

Source

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3rd Party Productions

Acknowledgements

In memory of Sione Aleki
Made with funding from NZ On Air

Music

Closing credits track 'Stringing Me Along' composed by Jess Chambers, performed by Nick Tapsell and Gemma Gracewood