Fancy an exotic night in Tarras? The Alpaca Social Club will transport you to faraway lands, with its fresh sounds with a flavour of Arabic, Celtic, funk, soul and gypsy jazz cultures.
Their live shows have been described as ‘a pyrotechnic display of dazzling virtuosity’ and ‘a quantum leaping musical curiosity’.
The two musicians at its core are pianist and accordionist Craig Denham and bassouki player and guitarist Jon Sanders.
Craig is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer and producer.
Originally from Kaikohe, he has divided his time between Prague and New Zealand, performing in many countries.
Jon Sanders has been composing and performing musical landscapes for over 20 years across the globe.
“I’m fascinated how different sound vibrations and musical scales impact on the listener and how the silence between the sounds colours the whole… it’s just sharing the joy really!”, says Jon.
They are both members of pioneering New Zealand world, folk and jazz group Beyondsemble, gaining notoriety in the NZ music scene through touring in diverse locations from WOMAD to Stewart Island.
For the Tarras concert, they are joined by Cousin Alice, of the smoky voice.
It has been likened to ‘a cross between Tom Waits, Pegg Lee and Marianne Faithfull’. She creates a completely unique sound – gritty, sweet and heartfelt, delivered with a shot or two of humour.
Raised in New Zealand but performing all over the world, Cousin Alice is a talented singer/songwriter, and a magnetic performer.
She draws on a rich infusion of Maori, Polynesian, Caribbean and Calypso culture, and performs a collection of jazz standards, blues and her own original work.
Come and be beguiled!
Where: Tarras Community Hall. When: Friday, 18 March at 7.30pm. Tickets: Artscentral.co.nz
Please note: There is a Covid restrictions limit of 50 tickets available, and a vaccine pass is required for entry to the venue.
