Francis Kora

Francis Kora is a New Zealand musician and actor. He currently performs with the groups Kora and the Modern Māori Quartet.[1] He co-wrote and performed songs, with the other band members, for the Modern Māori Quartet's debut album That's Us! (2017).[2]

Francis Kora
BornWhakatāne, New Zealand
GenresShowband, Reggae/dub
Occupation(s)musician, actor
Instrument(s)bass guitar, vocalist
Years active1991–present

Kora starred in the 2014 film The Pā Boys.[3] He co-hosts Māori Television's My Party Song as part of the Modern Māori Quartet.[4] In 2018 Kora, alongside other members of Modern Māori Quartet, began touring their cabaret show Modern Māori Quartet: Two Worlds.[5]

Early life

Kora was born in Whakatane, New Zealand and is of Māori (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Pūkeko) descent. Francis and his three brothers Laughton, Stuart and Brad grew up entertaining. As kids they played RSAs, rugby clubs and Cossie clubs in Whakatane, under the guidance of their Father.[6] Francis is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (Te Kura Toi Whakaari ō Aotearoa) earning a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) in 2003 .[7]

Career

Music

In the 1990s Kora and his three brothers, Laughton, Brad and Stuart, founded the band, Kora. He is a member of the Māori showband the Modern Māori Quartet, alongside Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and James Tito.[8]

Film and television

Kora made his debut feature film appearance as a lead actor in The Pā Boys in 2014.

Theatre

In 2018 Francis, along with other members of Modern Māori Quartet, began touring their cabaret show Modern Māori Quartet: Two Worlds.[9]

Personal life

Kora has a young daughter, Coco-Grace and a young son Akira Tait Kora. He wrote the Modern Māori Quartet's song "Shine" for her, and dedicated it to "all the kids in the world".[10]

Discography
  • Happy Hour (2014)
  • That's Us! (2017)

References
  1. "Is the Modern Maori Quartet New Zealand's next big thing?". nzherald.co.nz. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  2. "That's Us! Modern Māori Quartet". The Big Idea. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  3. "Francis Kora: At home on the pā". nzherald.co.nz. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  4. "My Party Song". Māori Television. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. "Modern Māori Quartet:Two Worlds". witnessperformance.com. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  6. "Fran Kora: We grew up entertaining in the Whakatane clubs". E-Tangata. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  7. "Toi Whakaari Graduates". Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  8. "5 Questions with the Modern Māori Quartet". nzherald.co.nz. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  9. "Modern Māori Quartet:Two Worlds". witnessperformance.com. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  10. "Modern Maori Quartet Release New Video for Shine". New Zealand Music Commission,Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
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