In 1961, a singer from the small Taranaki town of Manaia made waves in Sweden with a chart-topping single largely sung in te reo Māori, but his story remained largely unnoticed in New Zealand until now. The artist, Jay Epae, is recapturing attention through a newly released compilation album that seeks to celebrate his significant yet overlooked contribution to the New Zealand pop music landscape.
Born Nicholas Epae, Jay was the third of eight children in a musically inclined family. His father, Tuni Epae, was a noted performer in Taranaki during the 1920s and 1930s, often praised for his impressive tenor voice. Initial ambitions led Epae toward boxing, but a wrist injury steered him toward a career in music instead.
At just 20, Epae left New Zealand for Sydney, where he quickly began performing in nightclubs. It was here he met Leona, a touring performer from the Harlem Blackbirds, and their whirlwind romance culminated in marriage shortly after. By late 1956, the couple had moved to New York, where Leona danced in a major revue while Jay took on various jobs, including working in a restaurant.
Epae’s music career took a significant turn in 1960 when he was signed to Mercury Records and recorded “Putti Putti,” an adaptation of a famous waiata by Māori songwriter Tuini Ngawai. Despite its limited release in the United States and no distribution in New Zealand, the song caught the ear of a sound engineer at a Swedish pirate radio station, which led to Epae’s unexpected rise to fame in Scandinavia. “Putti Putti” soared to number one in Sweden, remaining on the charts for an impressive 44 weeks, also striking a chord in Finland and Denmark.
Leveraging this newfound fame, Epae toured Scandinavia in 1961 alongside other known performers, but his luck in the U.S. didn’t follow. After a few more singles, and with his marriage to Leona dissolving, he returned to New Zealand in 1966. Here, he signed with the local label Viking and wrote “Tumblin’ Down,” a classic song now integral to New Zealand’s musical identity. This track has endured as a classic over the decades and is a staple at celebrations today.
Despite notable successes, Epae’s personal struggles deepened, particularly following his marriage breakdown. He briefly moved to Australia but was unable to sustain long-term musical momentum, leading to a prolonged hiatus that stretched over two decades. In 1994, his sister discovered his declining health, which prompted family members to bring him back to Wellington, yet his situation remained precarious.
Although a documentary opportunity from Swedish television sought to spotlight Epae’s legacy, his health was against him. The last public performance he was known to have given was at a family gathering before his untimely death at age 61, a tragic end that belied his once-bright star.
Now, the release of “Jay Epae: The Collection” aims to bring his full body of work back into public consciousness, shedding light on the remarkable journey of an artist who helped shape the musical landscape of New Zealand. With echoes of his contributions ringing once more, Epae’s legacy is being revitalized, reminding music lovers of the power of storytelling through song. This revival not only honors his past but offers inspiration for future generations of artists.