On Friday May 15th Bossaphonik hosts an exciting Balkan-oriented night as we welcome to our stage two of the finest East European acts that the UK and mainland Europe have to offer.

We are supremely blessed as headlining the occasion are The Turbans, an ensemble with a legendary reputation incorporating an ever-evolving line up made up of musicians with a radical travelling lifestyle. They have developed an exhilarating repertoire of East European, Levantine and North African Arabian grooves with some excursions into flamenco music – as they put it, “music from manywhere.” It is performed with reverence for these ancient traditions whilst also bringing forth electrifying original compositions. Their members have gathered from countries such as Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Iran and England and they mix up vibrant authenticity with joyful spontaneity.

The Turbans are firm favourites at Bossaphonik and this will be their 5th visit here over the years. Their last appearance took place at the outdoor 20th Anniversary Festival in Florence Park. Since then a founding member, the virtuosic violinist Darius Thompson has returned to the line up along with vocalist Al Numa extending the band’s line up to an 8 piece. No two Turbans gigs are quite the same and for this performance will also incorporate drums, clarinet/saxophone, electric and acoustic guitars, bass and kanun - an Arabic plucked zither with 75 strings. From humble beginnings they have become a major progressive name in the London music scene and have gone on to perform in concerts and festivals around the UK, Europe, North America, The Middle-East, Hong Kong and India. A powerhouse of talent, bringing their unique and vibrant sound to audiences who can do nothing more than smile, dance and shout for joy.

“The Turbans weave a celebratory patchwork of global community that transcends borders and separation at this great gig... an electrifying band.” Morning Star

“The Turbans are a stomping ensemble that sound like Eastern Europe swinging The Middle East around by the arm at a raucous party” Songlines Magazine (awarded “Top of the World album”)

Check out a Turbans video collage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txgYpzVVvkM

Check out a Turbans video from a gig at The Jazz Cafe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_1S4GQ-Hbc

Check out The Turbans debut self titled album on Bandcamp:
https://theturbans.bandcamp.com/album/the-turbans


Opening up the live music at this big occasion is a collaboration of virtuosic musicians with a shared love of Roma and Balkan music, improvised expression and cross cultural story telling – the Swiss-based quartet of Härva – performing at Bossaphonik for the first time.

Accordionist and Tabor pipe player Faith Ristic is originally from Oxford and is known to many Bossaphonik goers from her exceptional band Faith I Branko who performed here numerous times. She released two albums which included members from the Non Smoking Orchestra with both making the top 10 World Music Charts. She is known internationally for her work in Serbian Roma music and she has performed at Womad and The Royal Albert Hall. Guitarist and vocalist Lucian Caceres blends gypsy jazz, Latin American and Balkan influences in his playing and sings in French and Latin American Spanish. Violinist Viljo Busch trained with the legendary Taraf de Haidouks in Romania and developed a focus on the music of Transylvania. For their current tour the band will be joined by Brussels-based double bassist Antoine Maes. Together, Härva weave their individual influences into a rich, dynamic sound – their performances explore joyful Romanian dances, heartfelt Roma songs, Swedish vocal harmonies, Breton-inspired Geamparalele, the rhythms of Serbian Kolo and the virtuosic swing of Romanian jazz. Härva take the audience on a musical odyssey between tradition and modernity.

“Talented, nimble fingered and soulful” The Guardian

“One of the most respected performers of Serbian Roma accordion music….a spellbinding sweet sound” BBC Radio 3

Check out a recent Härva teaser showcasing the band performing a number of tunes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyf2CX0qjEM

Check out Härva performing Taraf Rumba:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1wWgVDiYYg&t=132s

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

Friday 15th May
Bossaphonik Presents The Turbans + Härva + 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 and back til 2:55am. Stopping opposite the venue)
8pm – 1:30am
**Earlier start - Live music begins at 9pm**
£17 advance + £1.70 booking fee (wegottickets.com) / £19 student ID on door / £22 door

See ya there!