OXFORD: Cowley Workers Social Club

Friday 21st February, 2025

8:00pm

Event information

February’s Bossaphonik event takes place on Friday 21st and for the first time in quite a while there will be a special double-bill of bands with an eclectic European folk background – Solana and Mazaika.

Solana bring with them a wealth of original compositions inspired by folk traditions of all corners of Europe, fused with a modal jazz sensibility and deeply groovy rhythms. They are a virtuosic five piece with a line up of flute/whistle/accordion, violin, guitar, double bass and drums taking listeners on a journey from the contemplative to the euphoric and even cathartic. Irish, English, Balkan and Hispanic folk traditions are deeply respected, complemented alongside the band’s soaring originality that transcends the boundaries of any one style. They take their music towards something new and bold beyond classic folk conventions. Solana were originally formed in 2012 in Valencia, Spain and have now found a home in Bristol’s contemporary folk scene. Their vast array of knowledge is offered up with an impressive instrumental proficiency placing them among the top acts of the UK folk and world music scenes. Their third studio LP,“Mirage” (2022) was recorded with long-time producer Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist/Onipa). We can look forward to hearing plenty of it in this coming gig alongside a wealth of their favourite material.

“Dazzling musicianship” Songlines Magazine

“An album of inventive and immaculate musicianship" — RnR Magazine

"They make my spice shelf look boring... accomplished and colourful" — Folk Radio UK

Check out Solana’s album Mirage:
https://solana.bandcamp.com/album/mirage

Check out Solana’s video of the track “Suenala” (kicks in fully at 1:20!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg_VTMpjO8w

Check out Solana’s video of the tracks “Mirage/The Salad’s smugglers sister” (takes off at 2:00!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA3nRHWrF1g

Kicking off proceedings is an act that opened the Bosssaphonik 20th anniversary festival at Florence Park last summer. The supremely virtuosic Mazaika are made up of violinist Sarah Harrison and accordionist Igor Outkine who have been playing together since 1996. For this gig, they are joined by a drummer to further inject rhythmic energy aimed at getting us dancing early on in the night! Both Sarah and Igor are vocalists as well as instrumentalists who have broad musical tastes and a classical background – they have developed a varied and vibrant repertoire. Igor plays with both an acoustic and electronic MIDI accordion setup which will trigger off a whole palette of sounds to get us moving! We’ll be taken on a ride through gypsy jazz, Balkan folk, klezmer, Argentinian and Russian tango, hot club swing, some popular songs which includes music from the 1920’s and 30’s and some of the duo’s original compositions that contain a strong improvisational element. This will all add up to a big fun intro to this special double-bill occasion.

“Sheer heaven - stirring, passionate and highly entertaining” The Three Weeks Review, Edinburgh Festival

“Wistful accordion… the world’s first headbanging accordionist” The Guardian

Check out a video showreel of Mazaika Duo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF7PtQ0k-yQ

Following on from the bands as ever is a Bossaphonik club session with Bossaphonik favourite DJ Badger alongside resident DJ Dan Ofer treating the dancefloor til 1:30am to the sounds of…
Jazz Funk * Afrobeat * Highlife * Afro Jazz * Brazilica * Latin Jazz * Cumbia * Global Hip Hop * Balkan Beats * Soul Jazz * Electro Swing * Global Grooves Galore * Nu Jazz Bizniz!

Friday 21st February
Bossaphonik Presents Solana + Mazaika + Bossaphonik DJs
Cowley Workers Social Club, Between Towns Road. OX4 3LZ (Near Templars Square Shopping Centre. Regular buses 1 and 5 from City Centre go up Cowley Road til 3am. Stopping opposite the venue)
8pm – 1:30am
Live music starts at 9:30pm

See you there!

Between Towns Road
Oxford
OX4 3LZ

www.cowleyworkers.co.uk/

01865 430 446