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!

The ensemble has been together for 10 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.

Jazz Festival. Sorry – Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival. I keep forgetting that and, given that the port is presumably donating a fair amount of dosh to be naming rights sponsor, I should at least name-check them. Thank you, Port, for supporting a fine event!

There's a special Baycourt matinee at 1pm on Saturday, April 10. Michal Martyniuk is a Polish pianist, here for 15 years now. He has a very impressive resume and is described as being 'at the vanguard of the next wave of music-makers”.

He wins awards with names like ‘Jazz Discovery of The Year'. Again, there are a bunch of YouTube clips of his compositions and it's all you could want from a heavyweight piano trio. Michal has upright bass (Cameron McArthur) and drums (Ron Samsom) backing him and will be joined by guitarist Dixon Nacey, who records for Rattle Records and is pretty much da bomb as far as Kiwi jazz guitarist go. Find more at: www.jazz.org.nz

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 Europe, and speaks eloquently for the plight of oppressed minorities everywhere.

The music is wild, passionate and haunting and makes you want to dance.

The line-up introduces their newest member, Nick Tipping, whose innovative and imaginative bass adds further texture to this vibrant ensemble.

Another recent addition is Anna Gawn, whose unique voice takes the music into another dimension. Ross Harris – an Arts Laureate composer – has penned exquisite songs for her along with spectacular new instrumentals for the group. The Kugels are on fire!

The Kugels recorded a second CD in October 2020 and it will be available at this concert.

Their first CD was voted in the top 10 by the ‘NZ Herald' in 2017.

See The Kugels live at Holy Trinity Hall, 215 Devonport Rd, Tauranga, on Sunday, March 19, from 4pm. Tickets cost $40 for members and $45 for non-members.

For more information, visit: www.tgamusica.co.nz

The Weekend Sun has one double pass to see The Kugels for one lucky readers who can tell us which member of the Kugels is an Arts Laureate composer.

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. Entries must be received by Tuesday, March 14.