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Trumpet Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. From the grandeur of Bach to the glitter of Broadway, this dynamic trumpet quartet showcases the full versatility of the instrument. Expect a high-energy programme that blends classical finesse with show-stopping flair. Whether it’s baroque brilliance, jazz inflections, or musical theatre magic, this ensemble brings bold sound, tight ensemble work, and a whole lot of sparkle to the streets of Pōneke.

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Te Hau Trio

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Te Hau Trio is an ensemble made up of three principal players from Orchestra Wellington’s woodwind section: Karen Batten on flute, Nick Walshe on clarinet, and Preman Tilson on bassoon. In addition to their work with OW, Karen, Nick and Preman can be found performing with orchestras and ensembles around Wellington and further afield,. For their performance at Classical on Cuba, Te Hau Trio will be presenting works from throughout the ages, adapted, arranged or stolen for their unusual combination of instruments.

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Double Shot

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed in 2015, Double Shot is a dynamic percussion duo known for their vibrant mix of marimba, vibraphone, and an array of colourful percussion instruments. Their performances fuse rhythmic energy with warm, resonant tones—delighting audiences with both original works and inventive arrangements of familiar classics. From concert halls to cafés, schools to street corners, Double Shot brings percussive flair and musical joy to every stage they play.

Event Image

Flute Squadron (a flute quintet).

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Back by popular demand after two sell-out years, The Flute Squadron brings a kaleidoscope of sound to Classical on Cuba. With an ensemble featuring the rich tones of bass and alto flutes, the sparkling piccolo, and the classic C flute, this group explores everything from opera and symphonic arrangements to smooth jazz and Latin rhythms. Expect bold colours, unexpected textures, and genre-spanning flair from this crowd favourite.

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Capital Reeds

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Wellington’s own reed renegades, CAPITAL REEDS blend the familiar tones of oboe, clarinet, and bassoon with the rich depths of cor anglais, bass clarinet, and contrabassoon. This adventurous trio serves up an unexpected mix of folk, pop, and art music—showcasing bold combinations, surprising textures, and reedy brilliance with a twist.

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Partial Forms

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Partial Forms is a one-hour sonic journey through shifting terrains of sound and space, featuring the talented Canadian cellist Nicholas Denton Protsack with New Zealand composer Michael Norris on live electronics. Together, they have blurred the boundaries between acoustic and digital, between natural and artificial. The performance unfolds across immersive audiovisual landscapes shaped by environmental themes: from the meditative cloudscapes of ‘Cirrus Drift’ to the subterranean echoes of ‘In the Refuge of a Cave’. With evocative titles such as ‘Aeolian Fields’, ‘Written in Sand’ and ‘Spectral Cascades’, each track invites the listener into a world where nature, memory and technology intertwine. Partial Forms is a meditative and multisensory exploration of place and environment.

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SOAR

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Let your spirit soar with flutist Karen Batten and harpist Michelle Velvin as they present a heartwarming winter concert of expressive, eclectic music. From the lush landscapes of French impressionism to the lilt of Irish folk and the pulse of tango, SOAR is a vibrant journey through sound. Long-time collaborators through Orchestra Wellington and beyond, Karen and Michelle are celebrated performers across Aotearoa’s musical scene. This performance is a joyful showcase of their artistry, chemistry, and shared love for genre-spanning music.

Event Image

Flute Squadron (a flute quintet).

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Back by popular demand after two sell-out years, The Flute Squadron brings a kaleidoscope of sound to Classical on Cuba. With an ensemble featuring the rich tones of bass and alto flutes, the sparkling piccolo, and the classic C flute, this group explores everything from opera and symphonic arrangements to smooth jazz and Latin rhythms. Expect bold colours, unexpected textures, and genre-spanning flair from this crowd favourite.

Event Image

Trumpet Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. From the grandeur of Bach to the glitter of Broadway, this dynamic trumpet quartet showcases the full versatility of the instrument. Expect a high-energy programme that blends classical finesse with show-stopping flair. Whether it’s baroque brilliance, jazz inflections, or musical theatre magic, this ensemble brings bold sound, tight ensemble work, and a whole lot of sparkle to the streets of Pōneke.

Event Image

Bisnaga Vortex

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Named after the fictional city of Bisnaga in Salman Rushdie’s Victory City, this viola quartet channels the novel’s rich tapestry of cultural influences and vibrant imagination. Bisnaga Vortex embraces artistic curiosity and bold exploration—offering a rare and captivating sound world where four violas intertwine in harmony, dissonance, and unexpected beauty.

Event Image

SOAR

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Let your spirit soar with flutist Karen Batten and harpist Michelle Velvin as they present a heartwarming winter concert of expressive, eclectic music. From the lush landscapes of French impressionism to the lilt of Irish folk and the pulse of tango, SOAR is a vibrant journey through sound. Long-time collaborators through Orchestra Wellington and beyond, Karen and Michelle are celebrated performers across Aotearoa’s musical scene. This performance is a joyful showcase of their artistry, chemistry, and shared love for genre-spanning music.

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Downtown: New Zealand String Quartet & Friends

Presented By New Zealand String Quartet A classical collaboration of epic proportions. The New Zealand String Quartet joins forces with the up-and-coming Antipodes Quartet and string students from the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī for an evening of sweeping chamber music. Experience a powerful performance by a chamber orchestra comprised of both emerging and established string players, showcasing the diverse and impeccable the talent of Pōneke. Accomplished musicians will perform alongside Aotearoa’s brightest young artists in a generation-spanning collaboration in the heart of the creative capital. All are welcome to enjoy a beverage and be immersed in this lively and impactful programme featuring works by sensational local composers and renowned classical icons.

Event Image

Te Hau Trio

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Te Hau Trio is an ensemble made up of three principal players from Orchestra Wellington’s woodwind section: Karen Batten on flute, Nick Walshe on clarinet, and Preman Tilson on bassoon. In addition to their work with OW, Karen, Nick and Preman can be found performing with orchestras and ensembles around Wellington and further afield,. For their performance at Classical on Cuba, Te Hau Trio will be presenting works from throughout the ages, adapted, arranged or stolen for their unusual combination of instruments.

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Family Lockdown Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed during the 2020 lockdown, this whānau quartet first captured hearts through Zoom concerts streamed to audiences around the globe. Since then, they’ve brought their signature style to stages across Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Ōtaki. Known for their spirited take on 80s rock classics, they blend family charm with nostalgic energy in every performance.

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A glass with Glass

A Glass with Glass invites you into a hypnotic sound world where time bends, patterns shimmer, and emotion resonates in every repetition. Performed by chamber musicians of Orchestra Wellington - Leah Walls, Emma Colligan, Alex Vaatstra and Margaret Guldborg - this program features a curated selection of movements from Glass’s String Quartets No. 8 and No. 9. plus a bonus surprise or two. Come experience the immersive sound of string music by Philip Glass, one of the most influential composers of our time.

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Bisnaga Vortex

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Named after the fictional city of Bisnaga in Salman Rushdie’s Victory City, this viola quartet channels the novel’s rich tapestry of cultural influences and vibrant imagination. Bisnaga Vortex embraces artistic curiosity and bold exploration—offering a rare and captivating sound world where four violas intertwine in harmony, dissonance, and unexpected beauty.

Event Image

Family Lockdown Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed during the 2020 lockdown, this whānau quartet first captured hearts through Zoom concerts streamed to audiences around the globe. Since then, they’ve brought their signature style to stages across Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Ōtaki. Known for their spirited take on 80s rock classics, they blend family charm with nostalgic energy in every performance.

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Sofia Machray

Bursting with sweetness and soul, Pōneke-based dream-folk artist Sofia Machray joins forces with Classical on Cuba and Orchestra Wellington for an intimate, one-of-a-kind performance. Described by Atwood Magazine as “New Zealand’s brightest new singer-songwriter,” Machray is known for her moody rockers and soft-burning hooks. This special show reimagines her songs with a live string quartet: Alex Hoare (cello), Mana Waiariki (violin), Eden Annesley (violin), and Tal Amoore (viola), with lush arrangements by composer Eva Bedggood. Machray’s 2023 debut EP Language of Flowers garnered widespread praise, with multiple tracks climbing the Student Radio Network Top 10 and three SRN Award nominations, including Favourite EP and Solo Artist. Her music has taken her on national tours and seen her share stages with acts like Chet Faker, Palace, Lime Cordiale, and Ball Park Music — earning nods from indie icon Sharon Van Etten. A rising force in Aotearoa’s alt-indie scene, Sofia Machray is truly one to watch.

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Stick Around! A Percussive Tour Through Music

Stick Around! A Percussive Tour Through Music Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll with Double Shot! Percussion powerhouses Jeremy Fitzsimons and Yoshiko Tsuruta are bringing the beat in a toe-tapping, stick-slapping, groove-packed performance that marches to the rhythm of its own drum. From the tiniest shaker to the mightiest marimba, they’ll strike, roll, and crash their way through a dazzling array of percussion instruments that’ll make your heart skip a beat. But this isn’t just a concert—it’s a genre-jumping jam session! With focus on rhythm so tight it’s like an over-stretched bongo head, Double Shot dives into the pulse of classical, jazz, Latin, and more. Forget treble—this show is all about the beat! Through clever arrangements and side-by-side style swaps, you’ll hear how the same piece can swing, samba, or sing with a whole new vibe—depending on the rhythm that drives it. So, whether you're a syncopation sensation or just finding your groove, come clap, tap, and snap along as Double Shot hits all the right notes—and a few cymbal crashes too!

Event Image

Double Shot

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed in 2015, Double Shot is a dynamic percussion duo known for their vibrant mix of marimba, vibraphone, and an array of colourful percussion instruments. Their performances fuse rhythmic energy with warm, resonant tones—delighting audiences with both Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed in 2015, Double Shot is a dynamic percussion duo known for their vibrant mix of marimba, vibraphone, and an array of colourful percussion instruments. Their performances fuse rhythmic energy with warm, resonant tones—delighting audiences with both original works and inventive arrangements of familiar classics. From concert halls to cafés, schools to street corners, Double Shot brings percussive flair and musical joy to every stage they play.

Event Image

Moth Quartet

Moth Quartet, formed in 2023, is a string quartet of composers — Tristan Carter (violin), Salina Fisher (violin), Elliot Vaughan (viola), and Nicholas Denton Protsack (cello). Each has a unique, vital solo practice, and the collective is an indispensable force in Aotearoa’s musical landscape. Their disciplined improvisations and co-composition can be heard in their debut album Scree Scrub Mountain Sky (Whatnot, 2024), with the follow up, TUNDRA due for release this year. A Moth Quartet performance is a unique musical experience, a journey through unexpected universes, presented through untethered abandon meticulously constructed. “They take to the stage sans music stands and scores and what follows is a revelation. It’s music borne of a great compositional and performative depth of knowledge.” (SOUNZ)

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The Unknot / Bub(z) and da Ouncle$

Established session musician and highly original drummer / percussionist Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa presents the Aotearoa edition of his work for trans-Tasman hybrid ensemble The Unknot / Bub(z) and da Ouncle$, drawn from his forthcoming debut album as bandleader. His work blends an antipodean sensibility in modern improvised music with electronics and tāonga pūoro, alternating between frenetic, icy, wiry contemporary songwriting and haunting, contemplative improvisations. This presentation marks Hikurangi’s move from the role of supporting musician to leader and artistic voice in his own right, while still integrating the voices of the numerous musical communities he is lucky to inhabit.

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Event Image

Trumpet Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. From the grandeur of Bach to the glitter of Broadway, this dynamic trumpet quartet showcases the full versatility of the instrument. Expect a high-energy programme that blends classical finesse with show-stopping flair. Whether it’s baroque brilliance, jazz inflections, or musical theatre magic, this ensemble brings bold sound, tight ensemble work, and a whole lot of sparkle to the streets of Pōneke.

Event Image

Te Hau Trio

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Te Hau Trio is an ensemble made up of three principal players from Orchestra Wellington’s woodwind section: Karen Batten on flute, Nick Walshe on clarinet, and Preman Tilson on bassoon. In addition to their work with OW, Karen, Nick and Preman can be found performing with orchestras and ensembles around Wellington and further afield,. For their performance at Classical on Cuba, Te Hau Trio will be presenting works from throughout the ages, adapted, arranged or stolen for their unusual combination of instruments.

Event Image

Double Shot

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed in 2015, Double Shot is a dynamic percussion duo known for their vibrant mix of marimba, vibraphone, and an array of colourful percussion instruments. Their performances fuse rhythmic energy with warm, resonant tones—delighting audiences with both original works and inventive arrangements of familiar classics. From concert halls to cafés, schools to street corners, Double Shot brings percussive flair and musical joy to every stage they play.

Event Image

Flute Squadron (a flute quintet).

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Back by popular demand after two sell-out years, The Flute Squadron brings a kaleidoscope of sound to Classical on Cuba. With an ensemble featuring the rich tones of bass and alto flutes, the sparkling piccolo, and the classic C flute, this group explores everything from opera and symphonic arrangements to smooth jazz and Latin rhythms. Expect bold colours, unexpected textures, and genre-spanning flair from this crowd favourite.

Event Image

Capital Reeds

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Wellington’s own reed renegades, CAPITAL REEDS blend the familiar tones of oboe, clarinet, and bassoon with the rich depths of cor anglais, bass clarinet, and contrabassoon. This adventurous trio serves up an unexpected mix of folk, pop, and art music—showcasing bold combinations, surprising textures, and reedy brilliance with a twist.

Event Image

Partial Forms

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Partial Forms is a one-hour sonic journey through shifting terrains of sound and space, featuring the talented Canadian cellist Nicholas Denton Protsack with New Zealand composer Michael Norris on live electronics. Together, they have blurred the boundaries between acoustic and digital, between natural and artificial. The performance unfolds across immersive audiovisual landscapes shaped by environmental themes: from the meditative cloudscapes of ‘Cirrus Drift’ to the subterranean echoes of ‘In the Refuge of a Cave’. With evocative titles such as ‘Aeolian Fields’, ‘Written in Sand’ and ‘Spectral Cascades’, each track invites the listener into a world where nature, memory and technology intertwine. Partial Forms is a meditative and multisensory exploration of place and environment.

Event Image

SOAR

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Let your spirit soar with flutist Karen Batten and harpist Michelle Velvin as they present a heartwarming winter concert of expressive, eclectic music. From the lush landscapes of French impressionism to the lilt of Irish folk and the pulse of tango, SOAR is a vibrant journey through sound. Long-time collaborators through Orchestra Wellington and beyond, Karen and Michelle are celebrated performers across Aotearoa’s musical scene. This performance is a joyful showcase of their artistry, chemistry, and shared love for genre-spanning music.

Event Image

Flute Squadron (a flute quintet).

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Back by popular demand after two sell-out years, The Flute Squadron brings a kaleidoscope of sound to Classical on Cuba. With an ensemble featuring the rich tones of bass and alto flutes, the sparkling piccolo, and the classic C flute, this group explores everything from opera and symphonic arrangements to smooth jazz and Latin rhythms. Expect bold colours, unexpected textures, and genre-spanning flair from this crowd favourite.

Event Image

Trumpet Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. From the grandeur of Bach to the glitter of Broadway, this dynamic trumpet quartet showcases the full versatility of the instrument. Expect a high-energy programme that blends classical finesse with show-stopping flair. Whether it’s baroque brilliance, jazz inflections, or musical theatre magic, this ensemble brings bold sound, tight ensemble work, and a whole lot of sparkle to the streets of Pōneke.

Event Image

Bisnaga Vortex

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Named after the fictional city of Bisnaga in Salman Rushdie’s Victory City, this viola quartet channels the novel’s rich tapestry of cultural influences and vibrant imagination. Bisnaga Vortex embraces artistic curiosity and bold exploration—offering a rare and captivating sound world where four violas intertwine in harmony, dissonance, and unexpected beauty.

Event Image

SOAR

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Let your spirit soar with flutist Karen Batten and harpist Michelle Velvin as they present a heartwarming winter concert of expressive, eclectic music. From the lush landscapes of French impressionism to the lilt of Irish folk and the pulse of tango, SOAR is a vibrant journey through sound. Long-time collaborators through Orchestra Wellington and beyond, Karen and Michelle are celebrated performers across Aotearoa’s musical scene. This performance is a joyful showcase of their artistry, chemistry, and shared love for genre-spanning music.

Event Image

Downtown: New Zealand String Quartet & Friends

Presented By New Zealand String Quartet A classical collaboration of epic proportions. The New Zealand String Quartet joins forces with the up-and-coming Antipodes Quartet and string students from the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī for an evening of sweeping chamber music. Experience a powerful performance by a chamber orchestra comprised of both emerging and established string players, showcasing the diverse and impeccable the talent of Pōneke. Accomplished musicians will perform alongside Aotearoa’s brightest young artists in a generation-spanning collaboration in the heart of the creative capital. All are welcome to enjoy a beverage and be immersed in this lively and impactful programme featuring works by sensational local composers and renowned classical icons.

Event Image

Te Hau Trio

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Te Hau Trio is an ensemble made up of three principal players from Orchestra Wellington’s woodwind section: Karen Batten on flute, Nick Walshe on clarinet, and Preman Tilson on bassoon. In addition to their work with OW, Karen, Nick and Preman can be found performing with orchestras and ensembles around Wellington and further afield,. For their performance at Classical on Cuba, Te Hau Trio will be presenting works from throughout the ages, adapted, arranged or stolen for their unusual combination of instruments.

Event Image

Family Lockdown Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed during the 2020 lockdown, this whānau quartet first captured hearts through Zoom concerts streamed to audiences around the globe. Since then, they’ve brought their signature style to stages across Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Ōtaki. Known for their spirited take on 80s rock classics, they blend family charm with nostalgic energy in every performance.

Event Image

A glass with Glass

A Glass with Glass invites you into a hypnotic sound world where time bends, patterns shimmer, and emotion resonates in every repetition. Performed by chamber musicians of Orchestra Wellington - Leah Walls, Emma Colligan, Alex Vaatstra and Margaret Guldborg - this program features a curated selection of movements from Glass’s String Quartets No. 8 and No. 9. plus a bonus surprise or two. Come experience the immersive sound of string music by Philip Glass, one of the most influential composers of our time.

Event Image

Bisnaga Vortex

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Named after the fictional city of Bisnaga in Salman Rushdie’s Victory City, this viola quartet channels the novel’s rich tapestry of cultural influences and vibrant imagination. Bisnaga Vortex embraces artistic curiosity and bold exploration—offering a rare and captivating sound world where four violas intertwine in harmony, dissonance, and unexpected beauty.

Event Image

Family Lockdown Quartet

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed during the 2020 lockdown, this whānau quartet first captured hearts through Zoom concerts streamed to audiences around the globe. Since then, they’ve brought their signature style to stages across Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Ōtaki. Known for their spirited take on 80s rock classics, they blend family charm with nostalgic energy in every performance.

Event Image

Sofia Machray

Bursting with sweetness and soul, Pōneke-based dream-folk artist Sofia Machray joins forces with Classical on Cuba and Orchestra Wellington for an intimate, one-of-a-kind performance. Described by Atwood Magazine as “New Zealand’s brightest new singer-songwriter,” Machray is known for her moody rockers and soft-burning hooks. This special show reimagines her songs with a live string quartet: Alex Hoare (cello), Mana Waiariki (violin), Eden Annesley (violin), and Tal Amoore (viola), with lush arrangements by composer Eva Bedggood. Machray’s 2023 debut EP Language of Flowers garnered widespread praise, with multiple tracks climbing the Student Radio Network Top 10 and three SRN Award nominations, including Favourite EP and Solo Artist. Her music has taken her on national tours and seen her share stages with acts like Chet Faker, Palace, Lime Cordiale, and Ball Park Music — earning nods from indie icon Sharon Van Etten. A rising force in Aotearoa’s alt-indie scene, Sofia Machray is truly one to watch.

Event Image

Stick Around! A Percussive Tour Through Music

Stick Around! A Percussive Tour Through Music Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll with Double Shot! Percussion powerhouses Jeremy Fitzsimons and Yoshiko Tsuruta are bringing the beat in a toe-tapping, stick-slapping, groove-packed performance that marches to the rhythm of its own drum. From the tiniest shaker to the mightiest marimba, they’ll strike, roll, and crash their way through a dazzling array of percussion instruments that’ll make your heart skip a beat. But this isn’t just a concert—it’s a genre-jumping jam session! With focus on rhythm so tight it’s like an over-stretched bongo head, Double Shot dives into the pulse of classical, jazz, Latin, and more. Forget treble—this show is all about the beat! Through clever arrangements and side-by-side style swaps, you’ll hear how the same piece can swing, samba, or sing with a whole new vibe—depending on the rhythm that drives it. So, whether you're a syncopation sensation or just finding your groove, come clap, tap, and snap along as Double Shot hits all the right notes—and a few cymbal crashes too!

Event Image

Double Shot

Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed in 2015, Double Shot is a dynamic percussion duo known for their vibrant mix of marimba, vibraphone, and an array of colourful percussion instruments. Their performances fuse rhythmic energy with warm, resonant tones—delighting audiences with both Presented By Orchestra Wellington. Formed in 2015, Double Shot is a dynamic percussion duo known for their vibrant mix of marimba, vibraphone, and an array of colourful percussion instruments. Their performances fuse rhythmic energy with warm, resonant tones—delighting audiences with both original works and inventive arrangements of familiar classics. From concert halls to cafés, schools to street corners, Double Shot brings percussive flair and musical joy to every stage they play.

Event Image

Moth Quartet

Moth Quartet, formed in 2023, is a string quartet of composers — Tristan Carter (violin), Salina Fisher (violin), Elliot Vaughan (viola), and Nicholas Denton Protsack (cello). Each has a unique, vital solo practice, and the collective is an indispensable force in Aotearoa’s musical landscape. Their disciplined improvisations and co-composition can be heard in their debut album Scree Scrub Mountain Sky (Whatnot, 2024), with the follow up, TUNDRA due for release this year. A Moth Quartet performance is a unique musical experience, a journey through unexpected universes, presented through untethered abandon meticulously constructed. “They take to the stage sans music stands and scores and what follows is a revelation. It’s music borne of a great compositional and performative depth of knowledge.” (SOUNZ)

Event Image

The Unknot / Bub(z) and da Ouncle$

Established session musician and highly original drummer / percussionist Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa presents the Aotearoa edition of his work for trans-Tasman hybrid ensemble The Unknot / Bub(z) and da Ouncle$, drawn from his forthcoming debut album as bandleader. His work blends an antipodean sensibility in modern improvised music with electronics and tāonga pūoro, alternating between frenetic, icy, wiry contemporary songwriting and haunting, contemplative improvisations. This presentation marks Hikurangi’s move from the role of supporting musician to leader and artistic voice in his own right, while still integrating the voices of the numerous musical communities he is lucky to inhabit.