Arrangement
I have worked freelance as an arranger for the past five years, primarily specialising in adding horns or strings for live and studio performances.
This song was recorded with Octopus in Heels, a Wellington based band, at Tiny Triumph Recordings, who chose Keeping My Body as the winner of the annual competition they run as part of New Zealand Music Month. I did the horn arrangements on the track and performed saxophone, backing vocals and flute.
In 2024 I was commissioned to arrange horns and perform saxophone by the New Zealand Māori Language Commission for this cover. The song is Kōrero Māori by Ngoi Pēwhairangi and Tama Renata and the cover was organised by the Commission to celebrate Māori language week and promote the revival of Te Reo Māori.
In 2024 I wrote string arrangements for a special one off performance by the band Octopus in Heels with a string quartet (songs composed by Eliza Pickard). This was performed to a sold-out audience at Bedlam & Squalor in Wellington, NZ.
In 2024 I also wrote string arrangements for the track Nigel by Revulva, recorded and released in Wellington NZ in 2024.
Composition
During the course of my Masters degree I studied large scale ensemble writing, culminating in a suite of original music performed in May 2026 for my graduation recital. This suite includes field recordings from my family garden in New Zealand and features music inspired by gardens near and far.
I have a portfolio of music written for small ensembles, including the following track “Rhossilli”, written about my favourite beach in South Wales, for a chamber improvising ensemble of winds, strings and rhythm section.
The following track features myself on saxophone, Kate Pass on bass, and Anders Julsgaard on drums, performing my song “Apricity” which is inspired by seasonal change in New York, written and performed in 2025.
Performance
I work across a variety of genres and styles both in New Zealand and New York.
A recent performance featuring myself on saxophone of “home is a mere moment” composed by Leah Jane, 2026. performed at Performed at the Lang Theatre in New York City.
May 2026
Performers: Soo, Sunjay, Will, Julie, Liz and Leah Jane
Some performance highlights include:
- Opening for Black Midi with Elliot Dawson, Meow Wellington NZ, 2024
- Festival performances with Hemi Hemingway and Revulva at Twisted Frequency and Festival 121
- National tours (NZ) with Newtown Rocksteady, Culture Embassy
- Wellington Jazz Festival and Wellington Jazz Club bandleader dates 2023-2024
- Umar Zakaria “Family Music” nominated for NZ Tūī Jazz Awards 2025
Elizabeth Hocking 