One man his his three bandmates will be giving a West African flavour to a jungle festival this weekend. Sharu Delilkan writes.
John Ellis is looking forward to being part of The Oratia Jungle Festival's inaugural show this weekend.
His newly formed band, Gypsy Tea Party will debut at the festival
playing a combination of gypsy and Django Reinhardt music along with some originals which he will be playing on his ngoni, 10-string West African harp.
"Having played in an African band before, I really got into playing the ngoni when a friend brought it back from Bukinafaso.
"People are always fascinated by the instrument's calming and soothing sound.
"It's basically where Western world got the idea to make the harp."
The four-piece band will be led by Ellis (sax/percussion) and James Sneyd (violin), who are also part of the south American Band that plays charanga music Orquesta Amadeus. The other members are Jeremy Titterton (guitar) and Piahana Tiapehe (bass).
What promises to be the first of many, the festival is a celebration of sculpture, the finest of Oratia's locally produced food and wine, art amongst the trees and live music in a tropical West Auckland oasis under the palms and beneath the stars.
In addition to Gypsy Tea Party, other bands adding to the funky beats for the day are BlackSandDiva and Trudy Lile & Mojave.
The show will close with a visual film treat from local Titirangi filmmaker's Robin Kewell's big screen outdoors.
Glen Eden resident Ellis is particulary excited about performing at the festival which he believes provides the perfect start to Auckland Anniversary weekend.
Ellis says he and Sneyd decided to form the band because of their fascination with gypsy music and because of the perfect fit with the violin and soprano sax.
"And above all I like the fact that it's quite tricky to play the songs, which keeps us on our toes."
Jungle boogie
The Oratia Jungle Festival, Landsendt Subtropical Gardens, Parker Road Oratia, Jan 29, 3pm. Rain date Jan 31. For tickets, email: info@landsendt.co.nz or info@blacksanddiva.com
