On Thursday 10 October, award-nominated saxophonist and composer Thabani Gapara brings his acclaimed show Dzindza to the 16th Ave Theatre.

Dzindza (a Shona word connected to ancestry and lineage) is more than a concert — it’s a vibrant celebration of African jazz fusion that’s been turning heads across Aotearoa. Recently nominated for Best Jazz Album at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, the album and live show bring together the grooves of Afrobeat, Highlife, Mbaqanga, and Mbira, while weaving in global influences from Zouk, funk, and soul.

Expect:
✨ An unstoppable live band of top NZ musicians
✨ Infectious dance-floor rhythms
✨ Storytelling through melody and improvisation
✨ A sound that connects Southern African heritage with fresh Aotearoa energy

Thabani has performed around the world and collaborated with some of New Zealand’s most loved artists — from Troy Kingi and Stan Walker to Katchafire and Rob Ruha — but Dzindza is his most personal project yet. Each song is a story, each groove an invitation to connect, and every solo a chance to celebrate where we come from and where we’re going.

If you love music that makes you move, think, and smile — this is your night. Whether you’re a longtime jazz lover or just looking for something new and fun to experience in Tauranga, this show will leave you buzzing.

🎷 Thabani Gapara — Dzindza Live in Tauranga
📍 16th Ave Theatre
📅 Thursday 10 October

Come for the grooves, stay for the stories. Tauranga, let’s make this a night to remember!