The Kugels Klezmer Band

The next concert in the Globe Sunday Matinee series on Sunday August 28 at 2.30pm is by a much praised group of New Zealand musicians. Take three former New Zealand Symphony Orchestra players, an Arts Laureate composer, a bass player of renown, a charismatic singer and you have the Kugels!

With passion and sensitivity, the Kugels play traditional Klezmer music and original works by their in-house Arts Laureate composer/accordionist Ross Harris. Klezmer music is the folk music of Jewish people from Eastern and Central Europe and is enjoying a huge rebirth of interest and popularity. The music is wild, passionate and haunting and makes you want to dance! The ensemble has been together for 11 years now, and has completed nationwide tours for Arts on Tour NZ, Chamber Music New Zealand, and performed as guest artists at several NZ festivals. Their first CD was voted top 10 by the Auckland Herald in 2017, and they have recently recorded a second CD which will be available at the concert.

The performers are all distinguished and versatile musicians. Ross Harris is a former NZSO French horn player and Victoria University lecturer and a leading New Zealand composer of symphonies and chamber works. In this concert he will be heard on the accordian and a number of his pieces will also be played.

Robin Perks was a member of the NZSO for 37 years as a violinist and has performed Klezmer in Wellington for about 15 years.

Debbie Rawson plays clarinet and saxophone. She is also a former NZSO player and is probably best known as the leader of the ensemble Saxcess. She has toured frequently for Chamber Music NZ and was until recently Head of Woodwind at the NZ School of Music.

Nick Tipping, bass, wears many hats - from a PhD and lecturer in Jazz to playing with national and international stars such as the NZSO, Bic Runga, and Kenny Burrel. He is nationally well loved for his presentations ‘Inside Out’ and ‘The Works’ on RNZ Concert.

Anna Gawn, soprano, was classically trained at Victoria University, and has since become a versatile and charismatic soloist. She has been oratorio soloist of choice for Peter Godfrey [Godfather of NZ choral music], and given premier performances of Ross Harris’s moving and beautiful Yiddish songs, especially dedicated to her. Her dramatic vocals and brilliant rapport with audiences create a vibrant layer of expression and colour to the ensemble.

Concerts by artists of this calibre normally have high admission prices. For this Globe Sunday Matinee concert admission continues to be by donation, recommended from $5.