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BAND OF GYPSIES SPECIAL: TARAF DE HAIDOUKS + KOCANI ORKESTAR!!

Taraf de Haidouks, the wildest of all Gypsy bands, celebrate their 20th anniversary by getting together again with mighty, funky Macedonian brass band Kocani Orkestar for a new "Band Of Gypsies" show: an irresistibly festive extravaganza which will see the two bands play together and combine music from all over the Balkans and Turkey. Just like the original, milestone Taraf de Haidouks' album "Band of Gypsies" (which was recorded exactly 10 years ago in Bucharest), the show will be released on CD and DVD in the Spring of 2011 and it will be the premiere of a new series of BAND OF GYPSIES shows around the world.

TARAF DE HAIDOUKS

Ever since the release of their first album in 1991 and their appearance in Tony Gatlif's influential "Latcho Drom" film, Taraf de Haidouks have been considered as the epitome of Gypsy musics fabulous vitality. The group of twelve Gypsy lautari (traditional musicians), originating from a small Romanian village, introduce listeners to a musical world which includes medieval ballads, Turkish-flavoured dance tunes from the Balkans, and characteristic vocal inflections. In 2007 one of the world's leading Balkan Gypsy band returned with their first studio recording since 2001 acclaimed Band Of Gypsies (Crammed).

In the early 20th century, many composers drew their inspiration from national folklore, often borrowing from Roma musicians to create their own vision of an exotic and largely imaginary Orient. Things have now been turned around, as Taraf de Haidouks have taken hold of classical pieces by Bartók, Khachaturian, Albeniz & more, and have 're-gypsyfied' them, giving them an exhilarating make-over. It's no neat, well-ordered symphonic interpretation but, rather, a new kind of folklore returning with a vengeance.  Of course their CD "Maskarada" (Crammed 2007) also leads back to the type of repertoire for which the Taraf de Haïdouks are known and loved. The mood gradually heats up and the album closes on a wild finale just like every single live concert.

CD: Band of Gypsies (Crammed Discs / Indigo / 2011)

Their wild energy is the essence of gypsy music [..] their set seemed like the bubbling source of 20th century rhythm ... they spun out cadences that recalled bebop, salsa, and the polyrhythms of Zimbabwe and Nigeria. [The New York Times]

LINE-UP: Vlad & Manole: accordion, Tanase: cimbalom, Gheorghe & Georghe: violin, Lautaru: violin + vocals, Vlad: double bass, Iorga & Giuclea: vocals, Manole: vocals + accordion, Falcaru: flute, Giniaux [guest]: guitar + cello, Simeonov [guest]: clarinet

Taraf de Haidouks + Kocani Orkestar = Band of Gypsies (Official Video) from Crammed Discs on Vimeo.