Michelle Rounds

Michelle first performed live in Sydney in 1989 as "Running Late" with Michael J Kenny on piano at The Harbour Zone nightclub, Bathurst Street. She formed her soul band "The Quiet Storm" in 1992 with Ara Nessasian (keys), Victor Rounds (bass) and Con Settineri (drums) playing a three month residency at The York Tavern, Sussex Street. All these gigs were soul/Latin. She was also working as female vocalist for "Satumbainda" (Latin) and lead vocalist for 3-piece "Hot Tamales" (Mississippi Delta Blues).

In March 1993 she was taken by Ken Jansen Ho (Golden Dragon) to sing in Suva, Fiji for the country's first televised music concert held at Lucky Eddies and performed with Manoa Tuisti (vocals), Tui Ravai (piano), Tom Mawi (guitar), Niko Bulai (bass), Paul Steven (drums). She returned to Fiji a couple of months later and lived there for 3½ years until she won the prestigious Vakalutuivoce Awards for Best Female Vocalist and Best Album. Two weeks later she left for Auckland, New Zealand - it was October 1996.

In Taamaki-Makau-Rau (Auckland) she was priviledged to work with some of Aotearoa's finest musicians including a one and a half year residency at the Sheraton Hotel with John Stowers (piano). She was first hired by "Cat's n' Jammers" Ray Gunter (guitar), Trevor Marks (saxophones), Wally Hart (drums) and they played a three month residency at TriBeCa. These gentlemen were, each of them, highly instrumental in furthering Michelle's career through their great kindness, caring, extensive knowledge in the art of Jazz which they shared, encouragement and true professionalism.

She created her soul band "Michelle Rounds and Get Funked" with Ernie Semu (keys), Robbie Karena (guitar), Daryn Karaitiana (bass) and Haydn Wharewaka (drums) and her jazz band "Michelle Rounds and The Souljazz" with Mike (piano), Denny Boreham (bass) and Frank Gibson Jnr (drums). Her guide and mentor was superlative bassist, musician and arranger, Denny Boreham, her trusted confidante.

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