Two of the New Year Honours this year are for an American couple who left behind a life of Hollywood stardom in California for our very own Kerikeri, where they have devoted the last 37 years to helping children through music.
Russell Garcia is one of the original jazz greats, his work immortalised by stars like Ella Fitzgerald.
In a career spanning more than 70 years, Garcia has composed, arranged and conducted music for a who's who of jazz - Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr and Fred Astaire, as well as the first lady of song.
"Ella Fitzgerald was very shy," says Garcia. "Before she'd go on stage she'd be in a panic, but the minute she'd get that mic in her hand and sing the first word, she'd be into her song and forget about herself and sing like an angel."
He even worked with a young actor named Ronald Reagan.
"I never dreamed he would be president of the United States one day. Even then, he thought there was a communist hiding behind every bush trying to subvert us."
Garcia's music for Charlie Chaplin's movie limelight even won him the Oscar for best film score, but due to a case of mistaken identity the award was given to a composer named Larry Russell. Garcia says he has never tried to claim his Oscar, because he didn't want Russell's widow or family to feel bad.
And in 1966, at the height of his career, Garcia and his wife Gina decided to give it all away.
"I'd done everything in Hollywood. I could namedrop for 30, 40 minutes, I worked with every famous singer you could name of my era, and one day, we decided to jump on our little old sailboat and sail across the Pacific Ocean."
Two years after setting sail, the Garcias arrived in New Zealand and fell in love with the Bay of Islands.
Gina Garcia is now an author and accomplished lyricist. For the past 37 years the two have dedicated their time to passing on what they have learned about life to Northland children.
"We teach them with songs, and raps, and stories, and games and creative exercises," says Garcia. "The kids love it, and we enjoy it as much as they do and we're having an effect on some of these kids. I see it."
At 92 and 77 years young, the Garcias are still making music and touring overseas, and while they still win awards for their music they say it is the Queen's service medal for their work with New Zealand children they will cherish the most.
3 News