About

For over thirty years, the band has held a unique place in the European musical landscape. Defying easy categorization, Les Yeux Noirs have always rejected boundaries. By blending Eastern European traditions, Gypsy and Yiddish music, rock, and improvisation, they have forged a unique, instantly recognizable language—fueled by a stage presence that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Areas of representation: Worldwide (except France)

Artist links: Website  |  Facebook

Biography

Led by fiddle playing brothers Eric and Olivier Slabiak—whose family has been soaked in Gypsy and Manouche music for centuries—Les Yeux Noirs (the Black Eyes) is a high-energy celebration of history and life. With each frenetic stroke of their bows, Les Yeux Noirs take the listener further into a dizzying vortex of Central European sounds and images. The band formed in 1992, focused on the traditional sounds of Yiddish and Gypsy music. In 2000, the band left behind traditional standards, and began incorporating their own compositions into the repertoire. Drums, accordion, electric bass and guitar rounded out the ensemble. 

They traveled the world for two decades, electrifying audiences wherever they went. Then for ten years, Les Yeux Noirs chose to step away from the stage. It was a time for a break, for exploring new paths and other musical adventures—a necessary breath. Yet, the spirit driving the band never died out.

Today, Les Yeux Noirs return to the stage, the place where their music truly comes into its own. It is where composition transforms into momentum, where virtuosity becomes a language, and where every concert turns into a celebration, a journey, and an encounter.

For over thirty years, the band has held a unique place in the European musical landscape. Defying easy categorization, Les Yeux Noirs have always rejected boundaries. By blending Eastern European traditions, Gypsy and Yiddish music, rock, and improvisation, they have forged a unique, instantly recognizable language—fueled by a stage presence that has captivated audiences worldwide.

During that hiatus, the world changed. Yet the essence remained intact: the deep rapport between the musicians, the freedom of their playing, and the infectious joy that turns every concert into a moment of grace as well as an explosion of energy.

This return is neither a mere reunion nor a tribute to the past.

It is simply meant to be.

Because this music is still alive. Because it continues to bring people together, stir emotions, inspire dancing, and surprise listeners. Because it embodies a generous vision of music, where virtuosity only holds meaning when it serves emotion and shared experience.

Les Yeux Noirs are hitting the road again today with the intensity that has always defined them—and the rediscovered joy of playing together.

After the pause, the story continues.

Tour Dates

Videos

News

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• Bia Ferreira Nominated for a Latin Grammy
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• Ana Everling Included on Putumayo Discovery’s “European Escapade”
  Romanian vocalist and storyteller Ana Everling is included on Putumayo Discovery’s latest compilation. European Escapade offers an adventurous musical journey across the continent, with surprising detours and appealing songs at every stop. Think of it as a Eurrail pass for the ears: no fixed route, no predetermined destinations, just the pleasure of hopping on and off ...
• Manitoba musician Kelly Bado among top winners at Breakout West in Winnipeg
  BreakOut West, a four-day music industry conference, three-night music festival and home of the Western Canadian Music Artistic Awards, is being held in Winnipeg from Sept. 24 to 28, with Big Dave McLean and Kelly Bado among the big winners from the home province.
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Press

On that evening of July 31, 2026, it almost seemed as though the very stones were dancing. There were six musicians on stage, yet they might as well have been a thousand, given the sheer power of the energy they radiated—an energy that surged as the audience clapped along, galvanizing the members of Les Yeux Noirs.

Brilliant as violinists and beguiling as vocalists, the brothers have managed to re-cast age-old Jewish and gypsy musical traditions in contemporary terms. Making no apologies for its amplified fiddles and plugged-in guitars, Les Yeux Noirs (which translates to “Black Eyes”) draws equally on the past and the present. Ancient scales resurface in snappy pop-song formats; time-honored songs from East European shtetls re-emerge in peppy, populist settings… To hear this band reworking traditional dance music and Yiddish lullabies is to behold a remarkably deft aesthetic transformation. — Chicago Tribune

It would have been difficult to imagine a more joyous musical journey. — Tucson Weekly

Testimonials

“Thanks for checking in – everything was fantastic, and the gentlemen of Les Yeux Noirs are great to work with.  They gave a great lec/dem to a room full of college students, leading the most engaged discussion I’ve ever seen those students have with a visiting artist.  The show was wonderful, and the audience appreciative.  I really enjoyed the piece that looped in the recording of Eric and Olivier’s grandmother singing.

It seemed like the band enjoyed their time in Louisville (they even snuck in a trip to an accordion shop).   Thanks for bringing us another great group. ”

— Nick Covault, Programming Manager – Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts – Louisville, KY, USA

“The show was great! The artists were very friendly and a blast to work with. The audience reaction was excellent as well…a lot of hooting and dancing as well as a great response post-show with folks sticking around and chatting with the brothers.

It was a pleasure working with them! ”

      — Tim Schoen, Production Manager – Mayne Stage – Chicago, IL, USA

“The show was great as in the past. But there was plenty of new material. The sibling rivalry has mellowed a bit, but the introduction on family stories and personal point of view especially by Eric were appreciated by old and new audience members.

We were one of the first locations they played in the US and CSPS (especially the neighborhood) has changed a lot even since their last visit in 2007.

We had a good time, although only half a dozen of us were dancing in the aisles.”

      — Mel Andringa, Producing Director – Legion Arts – Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

Downloads/Media

Technical Riders:

Artist Rider — Coming Soon (pdf)

Press Photos (high resolution):