Talented Zibabwean Saxophonist Thabani Gapara has been a musician for decades.
Cutting his teeth with some of South East Africa’s finest musicians and has steadily made a name for himself in Aotearoa working and playing as a session musician on stages with Katchafire, Troy Kingi, House of Shem, Hipstamatics, and Stan Walker.
The hard work has been formally recognised this week as Thabani is up for Te Manu Taki Tau-tito o te Tau best jazz artist at this year's Aotearoa Music Awards for his new record Dzindza.
For two decades, Thabani has been a trusted sideman, an in-demand session musician, a quiet giant behind the music. 2020 saw him step into his own spotlight, bringing his lived experience of Southern African jazz to the forefront.
His music is a vibrant fusion of Bantu rhythms, funk, grooves of the African diaspora, and boundless improvisation.
Mount Maunganui, 17 April
Whangamata, 26 April
Christchurch, 10 May
Hamilton, 17 May
Wellington, 23 May
Auckland, 31 May
Thabani Gapara's new album Dzinda got him nominated for Best Jazz Artist at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards. Photo: Supplied
