What is "ponga"

alt. ''Cyathea dealbata'', a medium-sized tree fern endemic to New Zealand. n. ''Cyathea dealbata'', a medium-sized tree fern endemic to New Zealand.

Ponga may refer to:

• Ponga, ( Cyathea dealbata), the silver tree fern endemic to New Zealand
• Ponga (Spain), a municipality in Asturias, Spain
• Ponga (band), an improvisational contemporary jazz/fusion ensemble
  • Ponga, debut album by the above
• Ponga, Burkina Faso
• Pon'ga (Onega-3), a historical district in the town of Onega, Russia

Ponga was a Seattle-based improvisational quartet composed of Wayne Horvitz and Dave Palmer (keyboards), Bobby Previte (drums), and Skerik (saxophone). Ponga's performances and recordings were entirely improvised with no overdubs.

The quartet started in 1997 and upon their first self-titled release in 1999 toured North America, Europe and Japan to excellent reviews. Often described as "intuitive" with references to the electric bands led by Miles Davis in the late 1960s and 1970s, the group was also noted for styles that were all-encompassing. Reviews emphasize both aesthetic and technical expertise. The first album was followed by a release of Re-mixes by such notables as Fila Brazillia, Spacetime Continuum, and Amon Tobin containing more danceable beats. The final release Psychological like the first was recorded live and in part at the O.K. Hotel in Seattle. Along with their live performances it also received favorable reviews.

Ponga is the first album by the improvisational quartet Ponga. The album is a recording of live improvisation with no over dubs at the O.K. Hotel and Litho in Seattle and Stuart's Coffee House in Bellingham, Washington.