The Chaps

For more than 14 years, The Chaps have entertained audiences with their unique mixture of music and humour. The music has its roots in folk and bluegrass, but is flavoured with calypso and swing: they've labelled it "Cowboy Lounge".

Tight, four-part harmonies (occasionally sung in Maori or Japanese) are supported by skilful playing on guitar, fiddle, mandolin and double bass. Sometimes they add a banjo, resonator guitar, tin whistle - or castinets.

"... all are accomplished multi-instrumentalists with excellent voices and a gift for harmony." -Wellington Evening Post

The Chaps have written half the songs in their repertoire. The rest is a selection of tunes seldom heard elsewhere: lesser-known country numbers; old swing tunes; and snippets from sources as varied as Elvis, The Jolly Boys and Roger Whittaker.

But it's the banter in between that really sets The Chaps apart: the sometimes crazy repartee that spares no one - least of all the audience - making every concert a special occasion.