KlezCalendar

From Matt Dariau:
I am pleased to announce that Paradox Trio's ENJA release, GAMBIT, (the cd features Theodosii Spassov, virtouso from Bulgaria on kaval) is finally being released in the states through Allegro distribution. The date is May 29th at Drom, 8 pm in NYC! The Show will feature music from the cd and new compositions! please annouce. thank you! —matt

New York based PARADOX TRIO creates original music inspired by Eastern European traditions driven by an improvisational NY edge . With their new CD, GAMBIT, on the ENJA label, Just released in the US via Allegro distribution! and three CD's on the Knitting Factory label, Paradox Trio has been influential in advancing world fusion with their innovative exploration of Balkan modes, Gypsy, middle eastern and klezmer music. For the past 12 years these four musicians have been notorius for their high energy concerts throughout North America, Canada and Europe. The group's dynamic performances and approach cut across stylistic and geographic boundaries creating an unusual and eclectic sound - redefining the concept "world beat". Gambit, their fourth CD, is now out on the ENJA label (Munich) and features the Bulgarian kaval virtuoso, Theodosii Spassov. Their third Knitting Factory Records CD, Source, explores the common ground between Balkan and Klezmer music. Their second CD, Flying at a Slant is regarded as a work that gives voice to a truly organic fusion of several idioms - unifying the high20energy, complex rhythms and oriental modes of Balkan and Rom (gypsy) music with jazz composition and improvisation. Their 1st CD Paradox Trio was nominated for the prestigious 1996 German critics prize. Paradox Trio is currently working on a collaboration with the great Serbian/French pianist, Bojan Z. They have written and performed live music scores for the silent films Battleship Potemkin (Eisenstein), Un Chien Andalou (Bunuel/Dali) and Isaac Babel’s Benya Krik about a famous Jewish gangster in Odessa in revolutionary Russia. They have also created music for independent films and a PBS documentary on Dashiel Hammet.

The group features: Matt Darriau on sax and clarinet & two unique Bulgarian instruments, the Kaval (end-blown flute) and the Gaida (bagpipe).
Brad Shepik on guitars and Balkan strings.
Rufus Cappadocia on 5-string cello.
Seido Salifoski on dumbeks and percussion.

Saxophonist, clarinetist, ethnic-woodwind specialist and composer Matt Darriau has made several innovative contributions to the New York music scene. His background in the fertile and eclectic milieu of the New England Conservatory of Music's Third Stream program in the early 80's, and the continued practice of Balkan, Klezmer and Celtic folk idioms, have helped shape his esthetic and passion for creating new and unusual music. He is active as composer-musician in theKlezmatics, Ballin' The Ja ck (avant-swing septet - 2 CD’s on KF records) Disastro Totale (with Yuri Lemeshev of Gogol Bordello), Roberto Rodriguez Septet(Tzadik), FRANK LONDON'S Klezmer Brass Allstars (Piranah) and his recently formed Yusef Lateef project and the Recycled Waltz Orchestra. He has been awarded grants and commisions from the NEA, Chamber Music America (2005) and is a regular in New York’s downtown jazz scene.

Five-string cellist, Rufus Cappadocia is both a musical maverick to the bone and one of the leading voices of cutting edge cello today. His technique and musicianship inspire awe in even the most discerning critics, who have characterized his playing as “powerful…exploring territory that is positively otherworldly.” He has toured throughout the Americas and Europe with both fringe and famous groups and is celebrated for his unique collaborations with artists from across the globe -- from the Balkans to the Caribbean, from West Africa to North America. Rufus has toured as a founding member of numerous groups such as Urban Tap, Dave Fiuzcynski; has co-produced a CD with Barney Mcall (piano Gary Bartz) and Badal Roy (tabla Miles Davis); and has just finished recording and co-producing a new project, Vodou Drums of Haiti, with “Bonga” Jean-Baptiste as well as a CD of unaccompanied solo cello, called “Songs for Cello.”

Originally from Seattle, guitarist Brad Shepik has toured the world a nd recorded with Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band, Joey Baron’s Killer Joey, Pachora, Dave Douglas' Tiny Bell Trio and Simon Shaheen. He leads his own groups, including his Trio (Knitting Factory records) and several cd's on the Songlines Label. Other musical associations include performances and/or recordings with Carla Bley's Escalator Over the Hill, Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, Yuri Yunakov's Bulgarian Wedding Band, Tim Berne, Kenny Werner. Brad is a prolific composer and several of his prices are featured in Paradox Trio’s repertoire. In recent years he has added Turkish Saz, and Portuguese guitar to the groups sound.

Macedonian-born percussionist and dumbek virtuoso Seido Salifoski plays music from his Rom (Gypsy) lineage and Balkan traditions. He is the foremost dumbek player in the New York area and has performed extensively for the past 12 years with leading Eastern European and N.Y. artists including Bulgarian clarinetist Ivo Papazov, Husni Omar Faruk, and has recorded and toured with Yuri Yanakov (Bulgarian wedding band). His multiple percussion has been featured on numerous Balkan, klezmer and new music recordings and he is a regular teacher at the Balkan Music and Dance Workshops around North America.

"This hard working crew makes joyful music with an edge, and it happens - from rhythmic Klezmer to offbeat Balkan tunes - with apparent ease."-The New Yorker

"Matt Darriau, one of the Klezmatics, entwines his sinuous sax and clarinet solos with an electric guitar to a percolating Balkan beat that recalls Klezmer's eastern influences." Marty Lip, New York Newsday