Rob Thorne (NZ) & Marine Simonson Wiskari (SWE) in Concert
Schedule
Tue Jan 20 2026 at 09:00 am to 11:00 am
UTC+13:00Location
1A Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand | Auckland, AU
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Taonga pūoro artist Rob Thorne & Swedish trio Marine/Simonson/Wiskari – a unique musical meeting not to be missed! A playful yet masterful exchange between four distinct musical voices, each carrying its own tradition, expression, and colour.Rob Thorne - Aotearoa New Zealand
Rob Thorne M.A. (Ngāti Tumutumu) is a New Zealand Māori composer, performer, improviser, collaborator, and anthropologist. A leading specialist in taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments), he is an original and diverse explorer of the evolving musical journey of these ancient voices.
His debut solo album Whāia te Māramatanga is a profound and concentrated conversation between past and present - a musical passage of identity and connection. Using modern looping technology alongside traditional Māori flutes and horns made from stone, bone, shell, and wood, Rob creates transcendent soundscapes that speak to the soul.
Marine/Simonson/Wiskari - Sweden
This dynamic trio brings contemporary Nordic roots music to life with violin, saxophones, flutes, and bass clarinet - vibrant, expressive, and irresistibly groovy. Their music moves seamlessly between traditional Scandinavian folk and original compositions, always leaving space for improvisation. With deep experience as soloists, ensemble players, and composers, these three well-established musicians honour Nordic traditions while pushing creative boundaries.
Jonas Simonson is one of Sweden’s most influential and innovative flute players in folk and world music. Active since the mid-1980s, he has toured globally and helped shape the modern Swedish folk music scene. A prolific composer and recording artist, Jonas has also worked in theatre, production, and academia, where he is a professor of musical performance at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg.
Mia Marine is an internationally renowned musician and respected educator within the Scandinavian folk music community. A sought-after composer and arranger, she writes for her own ensembles and a wide range of educational projects. Mia tours worldwide with multiple bands and solo ventures, teaches at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg, and runs the popular online learning platform, the Groovy Fiddle Academy.
Hanna Wiskari is a versatile musician and educator known for her expressive soprano saxophone playing and distinctive Nordic folk sound. She has performed widely across Scandinavia and New Zealand, and for over 15 years has served as an Artistic Mentor for Ethno, a global music project for young musicians. After moving to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2016, she co-founded Ethno New Zealand and continues to lead numerous intercultural initiatives.
This concert is organised by Arts Connections Oceania with support of the Swedish Arts Council
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Where is it happening?
1A Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand, 1A Ponsonby Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand, AucklandEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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