ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE – ARTS ON TOUR PRODUCTION

World music in a true folk roots’ fusion! Acoustic Americana meets Celtic Spirit! Here come Across the Great Divide, featuring traditional, contemporary and original songs and tunes from Celtic, Scandinavian and Americana roots.   Featuring guitarist and arguably NZ’s finest dobro player Tony Burt, internationally respected and gifted Swedish saxophonist , Hanna Wiskari Griffiths and music specialist and Scots traditionalist, on harp, guitar, and vocals, Karen Jones.

Unknowingly you are drawn into and welcomed to their special Transatlantic musical world. Original and traditional tunes and airs; Americana original compositions all receive the same skill and passion in their delivery until you are no longer aware of their different musical roots, nor any divide at all. An Across The Great Divide concert isn’t a quiet affair. Strap yourself in for a wild, toe tapping and emotionally laden journey, perfectly held together by their passion for their traditions.

Karen Jones – (NZ) vocals, clarsach, guitar, music education specialist- Karen is a New Zealand born, traditional folk musician and music education specialist. She spent 14 years in Edinburgh, cutting her teeth in Scottish traditional music, arts and culture. There she began studying the clarsach (Celtic harp) under the tutorial of the widely respected Isobel Mieras, ran a very popular weekly folk and traditional session at the Antiquary in Stockbridge, set up her music education centre and became an active member of the folk and trad Scots community. Here she received much invaluable experience playing among some of the greats of Scottish music. Consequently, traditional Scottish music soon became her inspiration and passion.

Tony Burt – (NZ) resonator, guitar, composer, film maker.  Tony’s resonator and guitar performances cover a wide range of styles. When he heard the sound of the dobro, Tony was instantly hooked and worked to uncover the mysterious versatility that produces speed, bite and exquisite melody. Always looking towards the challenge of how music can blend together to create new ideas, Tony produced the Snapper Sandwich, a documentary incorporating live performance and narration and has composed music for film and TV documentaries. He has also contributed to many albums and writes tunes inspired by the melodies and rhythms from across the music divides.

Hanna Wiskari Griffiths – ( Sweden) vocals, soprano sax , music tutor and ETHNO NZ co-ordinator. Internationally respected Swedish saxophonist Hanna is a musician and tutor with her roots in the Scandinavian traditional music. Growing up surrounded by music, on the Swedish west coast, she has always had ¬¬traditional music in her life, mainly thanks to her father and his playing the Swedish instrument, the nyckelharpa. Since saxophone is not traditional, Hanna has found her own way of using the instrument in this music. For the last 20 years she has been active as a musician in a number of different bands and projects, such the Goodland Trio alongside many others. Now a musician in New Zealand, she teaches and leads ‘Ethno’, a 10 day music camp where young musicians share their traditional music with each other and is a renowned teacher of international traditional music courses.

WEDNESDAY, 28TH AUGUST AT 7PM

TICKETS ARE $15 EACH AVAILABLE FROM THE PLAZA AND EVENTFINDA (see below) 

GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

BOOKINGS REQUIRED – PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS

07 883 8596 OR theplaza@plaza.org.nz