Thabani Gapara Performs ‘Dzindza’ Live In Hastings Next Week
For audiences across Hawke’s Bay – from the arts community to iwi and whānau – this is more than a concert. It’s a chance to come together, to feel something real, and to experience music that connects deeply to culture, identity, and shared stories.
May 22, the Hawke’s Bay community is invited to gather for a special night of music and connection as award-nominated African jazz saxophonist Thabani Gapara brings his live show Dzindza to the Toitoi Opera House.
This is a kaupapa grounded in bringing people together – through rhythm, through story, and through shared cultural understanding.
Zimbabwean-born and now based in Aotearoa, Thabani Gapara carries his heritage through his music. His album Dzindza, nominated for Best Jazz Album at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, reflects a deep connection to ancestry, identity, and musical lineage.
Blending Afrobeat, Highlife, Mbaqanga and Mbira with influences across the African diaspora, his sound is rich in rhythm and storytelling – something that resonates strongly with Māori and Pacific musical traditions, where music holds whakapapa, memory, and connection.
Backed by a live band, this performance is not just something to watch – it is something to feel. An experience where people can come together, be present, and share in something meaningful.
Reflecting on the project, Gapara shares:
“The title Dzindza represents both the musical stories I share and my connection to my family ancestry and musical lineage. It’s a celebration of my heritage and the influences that have shaped me as an artist.”
In a time where connection is important, Dzindza – Live in Hastings offers a space for whānau and community to gather, uplift one another, and be part of a shared experience through music.
This is a night grounded in culture, connection, and community.
This special performance offers the Hawke’s Bay community the chance to experience world-class musicianship and a powerful cultural celebration that bridges continents through sound.
