Klezmer trio Wandering Laughter is a lively collaboration between cellist Taiward Wider, fiddler Cecilia Vacanti, and accordionist Alex Lacava. Based in the city of Boston, all three attended Berklee College of Music. There, the three of them were active in the American Roots Music Program playing numerous folk traditions including Old Time and Appalachian fiddle, Celtic, Bluegrass, New England fiddle, ragtime, gypsy jazz and of course, Klezmer.
You may hear instrumentals from a dance music tradition or songs from Yiddish theater or folk songs of Russia and Eastern Europe. Wandering Laughter plays music that is by turns heartfelt, soulful and invigorating. With tight harmonies, warm and inviting vocals, and sharp arrangements, they strike a balance between replicating traditional sounds and adding a modern twist. Just a few Yiddish troubadours spreading mazl (luck), freyd (joy), and of course gelekhter (laughter).
With multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, as well as Juno and ADISQ nominations, GENTICORUM have earned a reputation as a leading voice in the evolution of Québécois traditional music.
For over twenty years, the trio has earned a place of privilege on world, traditional, folk and Celtic music stages. Known for their unbridled energy, their musicianship and their magnetic stage presence, the trio has won over audiences at such prestigious events as Celtic Connections in Scotland, the Tønder Folk Festival in Denmark, the National Folk Festival in Australia, the Independent Music Festival in Alexandria, Egypt, the Rain Forest Festival in Malaysia, as well as countless venues across North America.
Pascal Gemme (fiddle) and Yann Falquet (guitar), the group’s two founding members, are both recognized individually as major contributors to the trad music scene in Québec. Since 2015, they have been joined by accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer Nicholas Williams (flute, accordion). Weaving intricate fiddle, flute and accordion lines, gorgeous vocal harmonies, subtle guitar textures and exhilarating foot percussion, the pleasure that these three musicians have creating and playing together is palpable, both in the studio and on the concert stage.
Sam Lee plays a unique role in the British music scene. A highly inventive and original singer, folk song interpreter, a passionate conservationist, committed song collector and a successful creator of live events.
Alongside his organization The Nest Collective and fellow collaborators Sam has shaken up the live music scene breaking the boundaries between folk and contemporary music and the assumed place and way folksong is heard. He’s injected a renewed passion into this old material, helping to develop its ecosystem by not only inviting in a new listenership but also interrogating what the messages in these old songs hold for us today. With his forthcoming album, Old Wow, he’s summonsed up a truly compelling and emotional album that takes his work to yet another level.
Called “One of the brightest fiddlers around today” by WGBH radio host Brian O’Donovan, multistyle violinist and champion fiddler MARI BLACK has been delighting audiences across the country and around the world with her energetic playing, sparkling stage presence, and dazzlingly virtuosic fiddling.
Raised on a rich blend of traditional musical styles, Mari made her entrance onto the international stage when she became Scotland’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and 2-time Canadian Maritime Fiddle champion, all within a three-year period. Ever since then, she has been spreading her love for dance-based music, performing as a featured artist at Celtic festivals, celebrated folk venues, world music concert series, and acclaimed classical concert venues including Carnegie Hall. Mari has appeared with such diverse artists as Irish fiddle champion Liz Carroll, Americana master Mark O’Connor, and jazzman Willie Ruff. Her music has been heard on the BBC Radio Scotland’s “Take the Floor”, Fox and CBS morning news, NPR’s “Here and Now,” WFMT Chicago’s “Folk Stage”, WGBH Boston’s “A Celtic Sojourn”, and on dozens of other music radio shows across the country.
Mari’s passion for diverse traditional musics extends far beyond the concert stage, as reflected in her work as a teacher, performance coach, dancer, competition judge, and musical ambassador dedicated to connecting people through music. Known as a master teacher with a playful and unconventional approach to helping students expand their horizons, Mari has taught workshops at the Acadia Trad School, the Swannanoa Gathering, the Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, the Mark O’Connor fiddle camp, the Tanglewood Festival, the Yale School of Music, and more. Currently touring nationally with her trio and a new duo with world accordion champion Cory Pesaturo.
Deeply versed in Irish and American traditions, it is on the mbira that Brendan Taaffe has found a truly distinctive voice, blending old-time ballads with traditional Zimbabwean rhythms. The ripple of the mbira, an instrument over a thousand years old, and Taaffe’s lush tenor casts old songs in a new light, creating “the kind of hushed, lonely warmth you experience sitting by a fire in a drafty house.”
A multi-instrumentalist on guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mbira, Brendan has toured with many different groups, including nationally acclaimed dance band Magic Foot and the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble Northern Harmony. In addition to performing solo, he currently directs The Bright Wings Chorus, a vocal ensemble, and is the frontman of The New Line, a band that blends mbira with banjo, electric guitar, and percussion, creating a bridge between American and African traditions.
Originally from Minnesota, Brendan now lives in Brattleboro, Vermont and tours regularly throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Born in Nurmes, Finland and based in NYC, Soikkeli was introduced to the music of great Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz, which has been his primary focus since. Olli played in jazz clubs and festivals across Finland, and toured Europe with Sinti Guitarist Paulus Schäfer. While still young, he’s already played with notable artists such as Bucky Pizzarelli, Stochelo Rosenberg, Tommy Emmanuel, Andreas Öberg, Cyrille Aimee, Antti Sarpila and Marian Petrescu.
After move to New York City in 2014. Olli has played legendary venues such as Town Hall, Herbst Theatre, Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note, Iridium and the Lincoln Center.
Olli recorded his first album “Trois Générations” (2011) with Hot Club de Finlande and Vitali Imereli and recorded his second album “Kouvola Junction” (2012) with Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud van den Berg.
Rhythm Future Quartet – co-led by Olli with violinist Jason Anick – released its debut album (2014) followed by ‘Travels’ (2016), receiving rave reviews including Best Albums of 2016 by Huffington Post and All About Jazz magazines.The Fall of 2018 marked the release of their newest album, “Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends”, which features the critically acclaimed singer Cyrille Aimée, brazil’s top bandolimist Hamilton de Holanda, and guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg.
Last few years Olli has been exploring musically. 2017 toured and recorded album ‘Rise and Grind’ together with virtuoso accordionist Julien Labro. 2018 Olli started a duo project with New York based Brasilian 7-string guitarist Cesar Garabini playing mostly Brasilian Choro music. Early 2019 Olli recorded with Grammy award winning pianist Marian Petrescu.
Dedicated to the music of the Mediterranean and the Balkans, Tamara Jokic sings in eight languages, writes her own music, and performs in a variety of styles that are uniquely brought together in her own artistic expression.
Aya Safiya is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and violinist who specializes in interpreting traditional songs from the Mediterranean, the Rromani diaspora, and island cultures. With her hauntingly beautiful and emotional voice, she captivates her listener and puts them in a spell.
Aya fell in love with music the moment her father handed her a violin at age 6, and went on to study traditional Greek island violin intensively for over 20 years. However, she didn’t limit herself to violin—she soon discovered singing and began to cultivate her voice. With guidance from master vocalists such as Eva Salina, Katerina Papadhopoulou, Kina Mendez, Merita Halili and many others, Aya has discovered her own voice within traditional music. She started performing as a vocalist at age 15, and has gone on to perform at Greek festivals in both the US and Greece, as well as at renowned venues such as The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, The Great American Music Hall in SF, the Grand Prospect Hall in NYC, and the House of Blues in Boston.
Bay Area-born and currently based in Boston, Aya has traveled to the Balkans, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Okinawa, and Cuba in search of not only music, but also a deeper understanding of the traditions from which the music comes. She performs with numerous groups including Agapi Mou, Romantique, Sarma Brass Band, Taraf de Locos, The Aya & Tano Collective, and has recently been developing her solo set in collaboration with musicians from the vibrant international music scene in Boston.
Born in 1987 in Minas Gerais, Cesar Garabini is an Italian-Brazilian 7-string guitarist that specializes in Choro, the predecessor to the well known Brazilian music styles Samba and Bossa Nova.
Choro began in the 1890s as a mix of European classical and folk with African rhythms, its popularity began in the 1900s and continues to present day. Music became his passion at the first sound of the guitar. At 13 while walking home from school he saw two musicians playing classical guitar and it inspired him to take lessons. A citizen of the world, Cesar has lived in the Brazil, Italy, and the United States, each influenced his playing and growth as a musician, teacher and performer.
In 2009 Cesar started putting together Samba, Bossa Nova and Chorinho bands, performing in Florence and other regions of Italy. In 2011 he moved to New York City to expand his musical knowledge. In the past 7 years he has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Columbia University, the Museum of Modern Art, with a monthly residence at Barbes. He has worked with Anat Cohen, Olli Soikkeli and Tim Connell. He has been featured on NPR, NBC and Global.
The Fire is a high energy pure-drop Scottish music band that features world class fiddling in combination with bagpipes, guitar, bodhran, whistle, and bouzouki.
The group includes, International Scottish Fiddle Champion Rebecca Lomnicky, multi-instrumentalist David Brewer of the popular Celtic band Molly’s Revenge, and Adam Hendey on guitar and bouzouki. Members of the trio have each spent copious amounts of time delving into the traditions of their respective instruments, with Rebecca and David having additionally lived and studied in both Edinburgh and the highlands of Scotland.
Together, The Fire performs captivating Scottish music which bridges the gap between the fiddle and bagpipe music of Scotland—two worlds united, into a heartfelt and rousing musical experience. Between their entertaining and informative stage banter, vast array of instrument combinations and extensive repertoire, including everything from soaring slow airs to intricately arranged dance tunes, these charismatic performers will leave you on your feet with your hands together.
The Fire has headlined main stages at Celtic festivals such as The KVMR Grass Valley Celtic Festival, The Pleasanton Scottish Highland Games, The Utah Scottish Association Highland Games, The Portland Highland Games, The Northwest Folklife Festival, The Yachats Celtic Festival, The Topanga Fiddle Festival, and has performed at a variety of venues throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland. The Fire is currently based out of Santa Cruz, California, and has recorded two albums together.
