The Friends of Pātaka Winter Music Series returns this month with chamber music, New Orleans jazz and lively European folk music.
Now in its 21st year, the series will feature Te Hau Trio, the New Zealand Swing Quartet and the Klezmer Rebs at Pātaka Art + Museum.
“The 2026 line-up is looking to be one of the best ever for engaging and innovative music-making,” organiser Meryll Evans said.
“We have a fabulous and innovative woodwind trio, the New Zealand Swing Quartet bringing us the joyous Louis Armstrong-style music of New Orleans and, to cap it all off, the return of the Klezmer Rebs, who wowed their sellout audience at Pātaka two years ago.”
The series had been due to begin with the Bishop Viard College NIU Choir on Sunday, 19 July. Unfortunately, that concert has been cancelled due to illness.
The winter series will now begin with Te Hau Trio on Sunday, 26 July.
The chamber ensemble was formed by Orchestra Wellington principal woodwind players Karen Batten on flute, Nick Walshe on clarinet and Preman Tilson on bassoon.
The trio combines flute, clarinet and bassoon to perform music from across the centuries. Its Pātaka programme will include light-hearted classical suites, contemporary pieces and folk-inspired works showcasing the distinct sound of each instrument.
The New Zealand Swing Quartet will perform on Sunday, 9 August.
The Wellington jazz group specialises in traditional New Orleans music, vintage swing and gypsy jazz. Its music draws on performers including Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, blended with an Oceanic influence.
The Klezmer Rebs will close the series on Sunday, 16 August with Yiddish and European folk music.
The group combines stories from the old country, intricate harmonies and lively wedding dance music.
Its repertoire also includes Italian partisan songs, Russian folk tunes, French chansons, Latin cowboy love songs, Argentine Yiddish tangos and 1940s swing songs, alongside the band’s multilingual original music.
Concerts begin at 1pm and are free for Friends of Pātaka members and children. Admission for others is $10.
To find out more, visit https://friendsofpataka.org.nz/events.