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Niko Ne Zna

Decade(s) active:

Elsewhere online:

On our catalogue:

Music we hold — on our catalogue

The majority of our Wellington CD collection is available from our Te Awe Branch in Brandon St, or able to be reserved for free from our Distribution Centre in Johnsonville.

We say:

Niko Ne Zna are New Zealand’s very own Balkan Gypsy brass extravaganza. Playing original music and music from the gypsy-soaked Balkan States, Niko Ne Zna’s music is full of hypnotic melodies and wild infectious rhythms. The band consists of some of New Zealand’s finest instrumentalists who come from a wide array of musical backgrounds. Two trumpets, saxophone, bass and tenor trombones, sousaphone, percussion, Balkan bass drum (tapan) and snare drum produce a cocktail that will make your ears rise to attention and your feet move in a frenzy.

Formed in Wellington in 2005 comprising trumpet, saxophone, accordion, trombone, sousaphone, drums and percussion, Niko Ne Zna are a truly authentic ensemble, who roam about the audience while playing, encouraging dancing, singing, clapping and stomping all night long. The music of Niko Ne Zna is high energy with dark undertones and sexy gypsy style. They are a class act with exotic tunes, fantastic grooves and exciting musicianship.

They have done some very exciting performances including 13 shows in September-October playing to up to 5000 people each evening opening for the World of Wearable Arts at the TSB Arena Wellington. They are also a staple of the New Zealand Festival circuit having played at Nelson Arts Festival, Taranaki Arts Festival, Splore Festival and the Wellington Jazz Festival to name a few. They also have three songs featuring on Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement’s vampire hit movie ‘What We Do in The Shadows’.

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NikoNeZnaReview

RNZs ‘The Sampler: Gypsies’ featuring Niko Ne Zna…

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Cover/Text sourced from Bandcamp, Facebook & Amplifier. Review sourced from Rip It Up – No. 352, April-May 2013. Used with permission.

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