Multicultural acoustic music

FRIDAY MAY 16

SONIA & NIGEL

Weaving French, Kiwi and American songs with their own original compositions and inspiration from around the world.

Sonia & Nigel are a multi-cultural acoustic duo featuring French-American, Paris-born (and now Kiwi!) Sonia Wilson on vocals and ukulele and Kiwi-American virtuoso musician Nigel Gavin on seven-string acoustic guitar. 

After meeting and playing together for the first time during Sonia’s first visit to New Zealand on a solo round-the-world trip in December 2014, the pair have since become a well-loved duo in the New Zealand music scene. 

They weave French, Kiwi and American songs with their own original compositions and inspiration from their travels around the world – sharing songs as a vehicle for peace, joy, healing and community building. 

Sonia is also the niece of late country folk singer and songwriter Martha Louise, whose posthumous album Goin' Home won the Aotearoa New Zealand Folk Alliance Best Folk Album for 2024. 

The duo will be performing a couple of Martha's original songs in celebration of this win and in remembrance of Martha.

After their visits to the Katikati Folk Club with the Unsung Heroes and Gitbox Rebellion bands, Sonia & Nigel are looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

Sonia

“Sonia Wilson is a living, breathing human Womad Festival. 

Born and raised in Paris, UK-educated and now based in Auckland, the Franco-American singer, songwriter and musician had a dizzying musical apprenticeship. A member of both gospel and acapella choirs from a young age, her music has taken her from the streets of Paris, across the Kenyan savannah, through remote Himalayan villages, and then ‘home’ to New Zealand. 

When she’s not performing, Sonia teaches, offering classes in individual and group ukulele, guitar and vocals.”

Peter Malcouronne, Ockham Collective 

Nigel

Nigel Gavin is a multi-award-winning musician. 

Initially a visitor from Long Island, New York, and now a New Zealand resident, Nigel has long been a featured player in New Zealand’s music scene, playing seven-string guitar, banjo, mandolin and bass – indeed, almost anything with strings – with the Nairobi Trio, the Fondue Set, the Jews Brothers, the Blue Bottom Stompers, Lorina Harding, Wayne Gillespie, Whirimako Black, Jonathan Besser & Bravura …among others. 

Nigel has also found time to create and mentor the multi-guitar ensemble Gitbox Rebellion. Gavin is a guitarist with remarkable versatility who is respected by other players around the world, and who excites audiences with jaw-dropping solos. He continues to work in New Zealand and internationally in Europe, Australia and the United States.

Read more about Nigel at Audioculture.

See Sonia & Nigel live
at Katikati Folk Club on
Friday May 16th.

Buy tickets online

Concerts sometimes sell out.  

To guarantee your seat,
advance tickets are available at
the Arts Junction or by
booking online:
a booking fee applies.

© KATIKATI FOLK CLUB 2022