TeAyPe are an 11 piece Australian hip hop / tap crew from Melbourne, Australia.

The group  was founded in 2009 when Grant Swift showed tap protege and

professional pianist Winston Morrison a home made music video to the 

song Walk Proud he wrote in 1994. Winston immediately saw the 

potential and suggested they recreate it and take it further.  This led to 

them spending numerous sessions at night songwriting, with Grant as the 

lyricist and Winston as composer/arranger.

 

After developing a substantial repertoire they immediately went to work

hiring session musicians they knew from the jazz world

world and debuted the band at a corporate gig at Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

 

The solo tap career of Grant Swift has commanded the attention of the

tap world in America, Australia and worldwide. Holding a style of his

own, developed through the influences of many great African-American 

hoofers and his journey as a street performer, he has performed all over 

the world. The meaningful lyrics and world class tap choreography that 

Grant brings to the stage is an undeniably unique quality for TeAyPe.

 

Winston’s musical background has foundations in his classical

piano training.  After receiving his licentiate diploma at the age of 17,

he began to experiment in jazz while listening to hip hop and gained

experience working with singers in musical theatre and other vocal

groups. Combined, this provided him with a diverse palette of styles

and ideas that he would reach from to create music that conveyed 

the style, vibe and message of the songs they collaborated on.

 

During their dance careers, Grant Swift and Winston Morrison have

appeared on TV including the Sunday Arts program on ABC, 9am, 

The Today Show and danced on Broadway at New York City’s Tap Festival.  

As professional performers in their recognized fields, they realised doubling 

up as musicians and vocalists as well as dancers would allow them to deliver 

entertainment that would be highly sought after, fresh and commercially appealing.

  

TeAyPe's sound has taken on funk, jazz , rock and soul feels layered with rhymes

that speak of peace, love, dance, feeling good and humanity, with elements of humour. 

Grants hip hop style is a blend of influences from Australia, UK & NZ.  With the addition of

soul singer Joys Ferris, the group's sound was able to go blacker and more powerful.

Lead vocalist Naomi Anastasia's unique vocal styling is sweet and soulful with a

quality that reaches and melts hearts.

 

 With years of experience performing from the street to the corporate and festival world,

 the creators of TeAyPe know how to put on a show that leaves audiences wanting more.  

They have enjoyed rehearsing for their first of many self produced shows, where they

showcase their best material from tap routines to their songs to date.  Directing

a show of their own, they have the creative freedom to dance and say what

they want - this show is one of a kind and they're  bringing it to the world

the way they've always imagined it.

 

 The live show will entice the audience with raw energy, captivating rhythms, soul vocals 

& world class dancers; it takes the true spirit of music and tap and channels it into a 

format that is modern, theatrical and awe-inspiring.

 

The current line-up of TeAyPe includes: Grant Swift (Spoken word, TapDancer)

Winston Morrison (Keys, TapDancer) Naomi Anastasia (Vocals) Joys Ferris (Vocals) 

Steve Pranadhita (Drums) Diaz Wardana (Bass) Bernas Hasibuan (Guitar) 

Ben Nieuwkerk (Saxaphone) Jonty Smith (Trombone) Brae Grimes (Trumpet) 

and rising star Lamine Sonko on djembe and vocals

 

With a lineup of so much talent, TeAyPe are aiming big for no.1 hits and in the process 

are crossing tap over to the music realm where it will share the fame on the music 

charts, TV, the big screen and walk the red carpet.

 

 TeAyPe are ready to take on the world music stage!