Some fine jazz fusion

Fans of jazz fusion are in for a treat as Klaus Doldinger and his band Passport play their first concert in New Zealand.

"I played in Australia in the 1970s but that's as close as I've come to New Zealand before. I don't know much at all about Tauranga and I'm looking forward to discovering it," Doldinger says.

He is an accomplished saxophonist, pianist, composer and arranger. His band Passport has been going for 40 years.

"Some musicians playing with me have been part of the band for 20 years so we have a very special connection," Doldinger says.

Their ground-breaking recordings have included Cross Collateral, Infinity Machine and Iguacu.

At his festival concert, Doldinger told Vibe he would be performing pieces from across the years along with the usual crowd-pleasing improvisation he was known for.

"I don't tend to play a standard programme. I like to change things around and sometimes the musicians don't even know what's coming up next. We do a fair bit of improvisation along the way," he says.

"We combine many styles in our music, including rock 'n' roll and jazz. We'll be playing pieces from the past three albums including Inner Blue and also some of our favourites from the 70s and early days of the band.

"It is difficult to say what my favourite song is. Some tunes are favourites with audiences and they are favourites of mine, too. I do like White Angel; it's a nice ballad."

Doldinger will also be playing music from the film scores he wrote for the German submarine movie Das Boot in 1981 and The Never Ending Story in 1984.

"I will play music from Das Boot in Tauranga and I am also going to lead music workshops in Auckland after screenings of the movie"

As well touring,Doldinger, now in his mid-70s, continues to work.

"I've just finished working on a television film and am thinking about the next album. I also am very involved in German copyright and collection of royalties for German musicians," Doldinger says. He will also play in Wellington and Christchurch.

The fine print

What: Klaus Doldinger's Passport
When: 7pm, Saturday, April 7
Where: Baycourt
Tickets: $59, Ticket Direct