Jay Epae
Encyclopedia
Jay Epae born Nicholas Epae, was a Māori pop singer from Manaia, Taranaki, New Zealand
. He moved to the United States
in 1957. His albums were released on the American Mercury label until 1962, when he switched to American Capitol. In 1966, he switched to New Zealand's Viking Records
.
His single Putti Putti was a hit, and he toured Sweden
soon after its release. He soon after faded out of the spotlight. In 1966, he wrote a hit single for Maria Dallas
called Tumblin' Down, which won her the Loxene Golden Disk Award.
He died in September 1994 at the age of 61.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1957. His albums were released on the American Mercury label until 1962, when he switched to American Capitol. In 1966, he switched to New Zealand's Viking Records
Viking Records
Viking Records was an independent and prominent record label that featured many New Zealand and Polynesian recording artists.-Background:In the 1960s, the company was the largest locally owned record label in the South Pacific with its New Zealand head office in Wellington and a branch in Sydney...
.
His single Putti Putti was a hit, and he toured Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
soon after its release. He soon after faded out of the spotlight. In 1966, he wrote a hit single for Maria Dallas
Maria Dallas
Maria Dallas was discovered at a talent contest in small town Morrinsville, New Zealand. Her first single "Tumblin' Down", written by Jay Epae, released in 1966 and made it to #11 in the charts...
called Tumblin' Down, which won her the Loxene Golden Disk Award.
He died in September 1994 at the age of 61.
Singles
- Hawaiian Melody/Putti Putti (1960)
- Hula Cha/It's Driving Me Wild (1961)
- Wassa Matta You/Dance With Me Lulu (1962)
- Hokey Pokey Hully Gully/Jungle Speaks (1962)
- Coffee Grind/My Girl (1962)
- Surfin on Waikiki/Patu Patu (1962)
- Hold on Tight/The Creep (1966)
- Your Tender Touch/You've Got What it Takes (1967)