LIAM RYAN

 Liam Ryan was born and raised in Christchurch. He made his name as rhythm and blues keyboardist and songwriter with Kiwi band The Narcs - (You Took Me) Heart and Soul, Diamonds On China). Post-covid he has come off the road and is now involved in full-time writing and producing music from his home studio in Waihi where he now lives.

Ryan has featured as a session player and producer on many New Zealand recordings and has toured as a sideman with international artists including Charlie Musselwhite, Long John Baldry and Robben Ford. 

He has two solo electro jazz albums – Mississippi To Mauao (2007) and Pacific Riviera (2010) released on his own label, Torch Music. He still collaborates with The Narcs (with whom he released three singles in 2018 and 2019), The Sou’Westers and The Midge Marsden Band. In 2016 Ryan released an EP The Ryan Dickson Line, with Narcs co-writer Andy Dickson.

In 2019 he released a single with Rodger Fox, Caribbean Cruise, and in October 2020 released Get Jive! featuring fellow-Waihian, Sarah Spicer on vocals, Rodger Fox (horns), guitarist Nick Granville and UK bassist Peter Stroud.  

Ryan has been a columnist and reviewer for Fairfax Media and continues to research and write articles about music. He sits on the Academic Board of SAE (NZ) and is Manager of the Tauranga National Youth Jazz Competition. His Masters Degree researched The Rise of Rhythm and Blues in Christchurch 1960 -1970.