Ardijah is a music group from Auckland, New Zealand, that formed in 1979. The band is associated with a style it describes as “Polyfonk", combining elements of funk, R&B and Polynesian musical influences.
History
Ardijah formed in 1979 and spent the early part of the eighties playing the Auckland pub and club scene honing their skills as a covers band. They released their first single in 1986, "Give Me Your Number" which was followed in 1987 with "Your Love Is Blind".
A re-vamp of the 1st album came out in late 1988 titled Take a Chance. From this came the singles "Watchin' U" and "Which Way Is Up". Take a Chance held a top 20 position on the sales charts for four months and achieved platinum status in New Zealand.
In 1990, Betty-Anne (lead singer) and Ryan Monga (producer, musical director & bass) along with the band moved to Sydney, taking their sound throughout the pubs and clubs of Australia.
In 1995, after an extensive touring schedule and some worldwide success with their song titled "Gimme Time" in the New Zealand film Once Were Warriors, the band returned to New Zealand.
In 1997, Ardijah released their second album titled Influence on their own label PolyFonk Productions and was distributed in New Zealand on the Metro Marketing label. This was the band's small taste of independence.
In 1999, Warner Music NZ released Ardijah's third album Time in November. Betty-Anne went on to win Top Female Vocalist at the 1999 New Zealand Music Awards.
Band members Betty-Anne Monga (vocals, ukulele & percussion) – appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to music, in the 2023 New Year Honours Ryan Monga (producer, musical director, drums, bass & vocals) Rico Tali (alto saxophone, flute, ukulele, guitar & vocals) Ryan "Kaitapu" Monga Jr (bass, drums & vocals) Phil Crown (keyboards & vocals) Karl Benton (keyboards) Kolo Hansen (keyboards)
Former members
Jay Dee (guitar & vocals) Richie Campbell (drums) James Tuiara (lead vocals & percussion) Paul Drury (keyboards) Teina Benioni (guitar) Tony Nogotautama (vocals & guitar) Anthony Grey (keyboards & vocals) Adrian Grey (bass) Peter Hoera (bass) Brinnie Nepia (bass) Simon Lynch (keyboards) Daniel Waho (sax & vocals) Barbara Griffen (keyboards & vocals) Neville Schwabe (saxophone, flute, trumpet & electric wind instrument) Paul Norman (trumpet) Brent Turner (keyboards & sax) Anita Schwabe (keyboards) Trevor Collings (guitar) Louise Hughs (guitar) Kelly Kahukiwa (sax) Eddie Manukau (guitar) Glen Muirhead (keyboards) Tim Gaze (guitar) Chris Kamzelas (guitar) Nicholas McBride (drums) Dimitri Vouros (saxophone) John Carson (drums) Heba Ngati (percussion) Rick Robertson (saxophone) Saylene Ulberg (keyboards and vocals) Robert Wylde (keyboards) Mark Steven (keyboards) Waylon Toia (WayZ)(Rap/ Vocals) Phillip Davis (DJ Philly.D) (Rap/Vocals/DJ)
Discography Albums
Year Title Details Peak chartpositions Certifications NZ 1987 Ardijah Label: Warner Music New Zealand 8 1988 Take a Chance Label: Warner Music New Zealand Catalogue: PFPCD003 8 NZ: Gold 1996 Influence Label: Poly Fonk productions Catalogue: — 1999 Time Label: Warner Music New Zealand Catalogue: PFPCD004 6 NZ: Platinum 2004 Journey (Aere'anga) Label: Poly Fonk Productions Catalogue: PFPCD002 — 2010 The Best Polyfonk Label: Poly Fonk Productions Catalogue: PFPCD008 11 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album NZ 1986 "Give Me Your Number" 15 Take A Chance "Your Love Is Blind" 14 The Best Polyfonk 1987 "That's the Way" 32 Take A Chance "Gimme Time" — "Time Makes A Wine" 41 Jammin' — 1988 "Watchin' U" 3 NZ: Gold 1989 "Which Way Is Up" — "Take Me" / "Thru The Time Door" 12 Influence 1996 "Bad Buzz" — 1996 "Oh! Baby" — Time 1999 "Love So Right" — "Silly Love Songs" 1 "Do To You" 7 "Way Around You" — 2003 "Moonlighting" — Journey (Aere'anga) "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
References
External links Official site Myspace profile