27 May 2023, 7 pm
Raye Freedman Arts Centre
Silver Road, Newmarket
“In the tapestry of life, we’re all connected.” – Anita Moorjani
Five world-class musical acts join the multi-award winning West City Concert Band in this not to be missed concert celebrating diverse cultural backgrounds and the things that weave us together. Discover some of the vibrant musical traditions that thrive in our own backyard and how intersections with other cultures can create something truly special.
Featuring:
- Riki Bennett
- Hanna Wiskari
- Rasoul Abbasi
- Basant Madhur Ensemble
- Yaw Asumadu
and: - The West City Concert Band
If you missed their performances at previous NZ music festivals, this is your chance to hear them up close and in person!
Guest Artists
Riki Tamanuitera Bennett
Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Whakaue, Te Arawa, Ngati Porou
Riki Bennett has been a tāonga puoro player since attending a wānanga at Auckland university with the late Dr Hirini Melbourne, who was recognized for bringing back the traditional sounds of Māori flutes. Since this time, Riki has continued with his passion, performing and playing tāonga puoro in a range of diverse settings. He has created soundscapes behind films and animations with Teaorapa Kahi and Kiwa digital productions, provided live backing in stage shows, and demonstrated and performed at many schools throughout the Auckland region. In 2009, Riki also performed as part of a group called Te Aratoi, and received a silver scroll for a Māori composition called Te Papakanga in the Maioha Silver Scroll awards.
Rasoul Abbasi
Rasoul Abbasi is a UNESCO award-winning Iranian kamancheh player based in Auckland. Along with an academic background in music from the University of Tehran, he has been involved internationally in many projects across various music genres, including outstanding live improvisations.
Basant Madhur
Basant Madhur is a widely acknowledged tabla player and a much-respected artist in the arena of Indian Classical Music. Born to a musical family, he studied music from a young age. Madhur moved to New Zealand in 2002 and established the “Sargam School of Indian Music.” In 2008 he received the Award of Appreciation for his contribution to the field of music by GOPIO (Global organization of People of Indian Origin New Zealand). Basant has had the honor of accompanying some of the stalwarts of Indian Classical Music such as Grammy winner Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in New Zealand and USA, Pt. Ronu Majumdar in New Zealand & Australia, Pt. Rakesh Chaurasia, saxophone genius Dr. Kadri Gopalnath and mridangam player Patri Satish Kumar to name a few. He has also collaborated with several western musicians in fusion music. Other than being a regular feature in many music festivals in New Zealand, Basant is known to perform in India, Australia, Fiji and USA on other occasions.
Yaw Asumadu
Yaw Asumadu is a master drummer, composer, African flautist, bass guitarist and xylophone player. His music was described by Phil Jackson (BBC specialist music presenter) as “a joyful and jaw dropping fusion of afro-grooves and jazz that hits you like a burst of sonic sunshine”. Yaw was born in Ghana, and studied drums, Atentenben Flute, and music theory from a young age. He worked with the Ghanian Pan African Orchestra for 12 years as master drummer and assistant conductor, and has worked and toured around the United States, Canada, Europe, South and West Africa, and England. In 2018, Yaw moved with his Kiwi partner and family to NZ and after meeting Tauranga based guitarist Tristan Hancock, formed a new band to play his music. The new Aotearoa based Ozi Ozaa is a 11 piece band packed full of funk & jazz with sweet highlife and traditional African rhythms, with members who have previously played in Kiwi acts including Batucada Sound Machine, Tahuna Breaks, The Scribes of Ra, Ijebu Pleasure Club.
Hanna Wiskari
Hanna Wiskari is a Swedish musician and educator, based in Aotearoa since 2016. She studied the saxophone at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg and graduated from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm with at Bachelor degree from the Folk Music Department. Hanna has 20 years of experience as a freelance musician with numerous bands and projects and extensive tours both in Scandinavia and abroad. Alongside her playing Hanna has always been a passionate educator, teaching both youth and adults. Since 2010 Hanna has worked as an Artistic leader for Ethno, an international organisation with the aim of to celebrate diversity and to learn music from musicians from all around the world. When Hanna moved to Aotearoa she decided to bring Ethno here as well and is now organising Ethno NZ together with a dedicated team. Both as a musician and a teacher Hanna is strongly driven by how music connects people, no matter age, experience and cultural background.