About
Combining elements of jazz manouche and other Romani music, Yiddish and Klezmer music, this Paris-based sextet offers an irresistible invitation to participate in some of the most rhythmic and emotional sounds emanating from any part of the world. Led by fiddle playing brothers Eric and Olivier Slabiak—who’s family has been soaked in Gypsy and Manouche music for centuries—Les Yeux Noirs 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.
Areas of representation: Worldwide (except France)
Artist links: Website | Facebook | Wikipedia
Biography
For over twenty years, Les Yeux Noirs (The Black Eyes) have been carving their own path down the road of Yiddish and Gypsy music. Led by fiddle playing brothers Eric and Olivier Slabiak, Les Yeux Noirs is a high-energy celebration of history and life.
The brothers grew up in the Marais of Paris, their family soaked in Gypsy and Manouche music for centuries. Two uncles, both professional violinists, used to bring their friends around, including Joseph Reinhardt and his pals from the Hot Club de France. Little Eric and Olivier were early virtuosos, the pride of the family. And in 1992 they combined their triple cultures—classical, rock, and Gypsy—and founded Les Yeux Noirs.
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.
Since 2001, Les Yeux Noirs have performed more than two hundred concerts in their nine U.S. tours. They have widened their original base beyond the comfortable networks of cultural centers and theaters, conquering new venues worldwide: jazz and classical festivals, California biker clubs, churches and smoky cellars. Wherever they go, Les Yeux Noir is guaranteed to have the audience smiling and dancing, captivated by the gypsy spirit.
Tour Dates
Tour History
Return to Future Tour Dates
2015
Mar 22, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
West Palm Beach, FL USA |
Dreyfoos Hall - Kravis Center |
7:30pm |
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Mar 21, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Chicago, IL USA |
Mayne Stage |
7:30 & 10 pm |
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Mar 20, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Cedar Rapids, IA USA |
CSPS Hall |
8:00 PM |
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Mar 19, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Sheboygan, WI USA |
John Michael Kohler Arts Center |
7:30 PM |
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Mar 19, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Sheboygan, WI USA |
John Michael Kohler Arts Center |
7:30 PM |
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Mar 18, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Sheboygan, WI USA |
John Michael Kohler Arts Center |
7:30 PM |
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Mar 17, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Sheboygan, WI USA |
John Michael Kohler Arts Center |
6:30 PM |
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Mar 17, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Sheboygan, WI USA |
John Michael Kohler Arts Center |
7:30 PM |
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Mar 15, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Wayne, NJ USA |
Shea Center for the Performing Arts - William Patterson University |
3:00 PM |
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Mar 13, 2015 |
NY Gypsy Festival |
Venue Info |
New York, NY USA |
Drom |
11:45 PM |
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Mar 13, 2015 |
NY Gypsy Festival |
Venue Info |
New York, NY USA |
Drom |
11:45pm |
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Mar 12, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Lousiville, KY USA |
Kentucky Center - Bomhard Theater |
8:00 PM |
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Mar 8, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Phoenix, AZ USA |
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) |
7:00PM |
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Mar 7, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Los Angeles, CA USA |
Theatre Raymond Kabbaz |
7:30 PM |
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Mar 6, 2015 |
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San Jose, CA USA |
Cafe Stritch |
7:00PM |
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Mar 5, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Santa Cruz, CA USA |
Moe's Alley |
8:00PM |
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Mar 3, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Arcata, CA USA |
Arcata Playhouse |
8:00PM |
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Mar 1, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Mercer Island, WA USA |
Stroum JCC |
7 PM |
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Feb 28, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Vancouver, BC CANADA |
Red Room Ultrabar |
8:00PM |
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Feb 28, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
Vancouver, BC CANADA |
Red Room Ultrabar |
8:00PM |
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Feb 27, 2015 |
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Venue Info |
St. Albert, AB Canada |
The Arden Theatre |
7:30 PM |
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2014
Aug 9, 2014 |
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Ciudad Juarez, CHI MEXICO |
Centro Cultural Paso del Norte |
8:00PM |
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Aug 8, 2014 |
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Chihuahua, CHI MEXICO |
Plaza Del Angel |
8:00PM |
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2013
May 23, 2013 |
El Spiritu del Sur |
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Huesca, SPAIN |
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2010
Apr 8, 2010 |
Chutzpah Festival |
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Vancouver, BC CANADA |
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Apr 6, 2010 |
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Seattle, WA USA |
Triple Door |
7:30 |
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Apr 3, 2010 |
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Homer, AK USA |
Bunnell Street Gallery |
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Apr 2, 2010 |
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Homer, AK USA |
Bunnell Street Gallery |
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Apr 1, 2010 |
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Seldovia, AK USA |
Seldovia Arts Council |
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Mar 29, 2010 |
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Healy, AK USA |
Tri-Valley School |
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Mar 27, 2010 |
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Fairbanks, AK USA |
Fairbanks Concert Association |
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Mar 26, 2010 |
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Fairbanks, AK USA |
Fairbanks Concert Association |
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Mar 24, 2010 |
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Kodiak, AK USA |
Kodiak Arts Council |
7:00 |
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Mar 23, 2010 |
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Kodiak, AK USA |
Kodiak Arts Council |
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Mar 21, 2010 |
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San Rafael, CA USA |
Kanbar Center for the Arts |
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Mar 20, 2010 |
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Santa Cruz, CA USA |
Kuumbwa Jazz Center |
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Mar 19, 2010 |
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Tucson, AZ USA |
Berger Performing Arts Center |
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2009
Oct 29, 2009 |
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Copenhagen, DENMARK |
WOMEX SHOWCASE |
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Sep 19, 2009 |
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Barcelona, SPAIN |
Mercat Vic |
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Jan 25, 2009 |
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Mahwah, NJ USA |
Ramapo College- Berrie Center |
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Jan 24, 2009 |
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Atlanta, GA USA |
Rialto Center |
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Jan 23, 2009 |
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Arden, DE USA |
Arden Gild Hall |
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Jan 22, 2009 |
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Columbus, OH USA |
Fawcett Center |
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Jan 20, 2009 |
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Marquette, MI USA |
Northern Michigan University |
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Jan 18, 2009 |
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North Vancouver, BC CANADA |
Capilano College |
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Jan 17, 2009 |
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Banff, AB CANADA |
Banff Center for the Performing Arts |
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Jan 16, 2009 |
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St Alberts, AB CANADA |
Arden Theatre |
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Jan 14, 2009 |
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San Francisco, CA USA |
Yoshi's |
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Jan 12, 2009 |
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New York, NY USA |
Highline Ballroom |
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2008
Dec 17, 2008 |
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Washington, DC USA |
La Maison Francais - French Embassy |
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2007
Aug 30, 2007 |
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Los Angeles, CA USA |
Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park |
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Aug 29, 2007 |
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Santa Monica, CA USA |
TempleBar |
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Aug 28, 2007 |
Cascade Festival |
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Bend, OR USA |
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Aug 28, 2007 |
Cascade Festival |
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Bend, OR USA |
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1:30 |
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Aug 26, 2007 |
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Lansing, WV USA |
Mountain Stage - live radio |
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Aug 25, 2007 |
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Danbury, CT USA |
Danbury Green |
7:30 |
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Aug 24, 2007 |
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East Meredith, NY USA |
West Kortright Center |
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Aug 20, 2007 |
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New York, NY USA |
Lincoln Center Outdoors |
8:00 |
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Aug 19, 2007 |
Philadelphia Folk Festival |
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Schwenksville, PA USA |
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Aug 18, 2007 |
Philadelphia Folk Festival |
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Schwenksville, PA USA |
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Aug 16, 2007 |
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Santa Cruz, CA USA |
Moe's Alley |
8:30 |
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Aug 12, 2007 |
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Foster City, CA USA |
Peninsula JCC |
6:00 |
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Aug 11, 2007 |
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San Rafael, CA USA |
Osher Marin JCC |
7:00 |
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Aug 10, 2007 |
San Jose Jazz Festival |
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San Jose, CA USA |
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Jul 13, 2007 |
World Music Festival |
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Tel Aviv, ISRAEL |
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Jun 13, 2007 |
International Festival of Arts & ideas |
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New Haven, CT USA |
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2006
Oct 7, 2006 |
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Mahwah, NJ USA |
Sharp Theater, Ramapo College |
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Sep 28, 2006 |
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New York, NY USA |
Symphony Space |
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Sep 24, 2006 |
Globalquerque |
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Albuquerque, NM USA |
National Hispanic Cultural Center |
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Jul 2, 2006 |
Cityfolk Festival |
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Dayton, OH USA |
Riverscape Metro Park NCR Family Stage |
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Jun 29, 2006 |
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Chicago, IL USA |
Hothouse |
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Jun 27, 2006 |
Ann Arbor Summer Festival @ PJs |
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Ann Arbor, MI USA |
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Jun 24, 2006 |
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Colorado Springs, CO USA |
Pikes Peak Library |
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Jun 23, 2006 |
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Pasadena, CA USA |
Caltech, Beckman Mall |
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Jun 22, 2006 |
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San Francisco, CA USA |
Great American Music Hall |
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Jun 21, 2006 |
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Santa Cruz, CA USA |
Moe's Alley |
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Feb 4, 2006 |
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Batavia, IL USA |
Ramsey Auditorium, Fermilab Series |
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Feb 3, 2006 |
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Cedar Rapids, IA USA |
Legion Arts |
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Feb 2, 2006 |
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Jefferson City, MO USA |
Lincoln University |
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Feb 1, 2006 |
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Chicago, IL USA |
Symphony Center Presents |
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Jan 29, 2006 |
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San Rafael, CA USA |
Osher Marin Jewish Community Center |
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Jan 28, 2006 |
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Stanford, CA USA |
Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University |
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Jan 27, 2006 |
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Napa, CA USA |
Napa Valley Opera House |
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Jan 26, 2006 |
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Los Angeles, CA USA |
Royce Hall, UCLA |
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Jan 21, 2006 |
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Toronto, ON CANADA |
George Weston Recital Hall |
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Jan 20, 2006 |
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Washington, DC USA |
Ripley Center - Smithsonian |
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2005
Apr 23, 2005 |
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Manchester, NH USA |
Saint Anselm College |
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Apr 22, 2005 |
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Portland, ME USA |
Center for Cultural Exchange |
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Apr 21, 2005 |
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Castleton, VT USA |
Castleton State College-Fine Arts Center |
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Apr 20, 2005 |
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Somerville, MA USA |
Johnny Ds |
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Apr 17, 2005 |
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Columbus, OH USA |
Fawcett Center Auditorium |
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Apr 16, 2005 |
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Nelsonville, OH USA |
Stuarts Opera House |
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Apr 15, 2005 |
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Erie, PA USA |
Mercyhurst College |
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Apr 13, 2005 |
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Garden City, NY USA |
Nassu Community College |
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Apr 12, 2005 |
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New York, NY USA |
Satalla |
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Apr 10, 2005 |
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Memphis, TN USA |
Buckman Center |
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Apr 9, 2005 |
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Memphis, TN USA |
Buckman Center |
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Apr 8, 2005 |
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Louisville, KY USA |
Kentucky Center for the Arts |
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Feb 19, 2005 |
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Hilo, HI USA |
University of Hawaii |
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Feb 18, 2005 |
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Kamuela, HI USA |
Kalihu Theatre |
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Feb 17, 2005 |
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Kahului, HI USA |
Maui Arts & Cultural Center |
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Feb 15, 2005 |
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Laie, HI USA |
Brigham Young University - Hawaii |
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Feb 12, 2005 |
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Pearl City, HI USA |
Leeward Community College |
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Feb 10, 2005 |
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Sheboygan, WI USA |
Kohler Arts Center |
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Feb 9, 2005 |
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Sheboygan, WI USA |
Kohler Arts Center |
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Feb 8, 2005 |
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Sheboygan, WI USA |
Kohler Arts Center |
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2004
Sep 6, 2004 |
Ashkenaz Festival 2004 |
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Toronto, ON CANADA |
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Jul 25, 2004 |
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New York, NY USA |
Joe's Pub |
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Jul 24, 2004 |
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Huntington, NY USA |
Chapin Rainbow Stage-Heckscher Park |
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Jul 23, 2004 |
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Brooklyn, NY USA |
Prospect Park Bandshell |
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Jul 22, 2004 |
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Santa Monica, CA USA |
Santa Monica Pier |
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Jul 21, 2004 |
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Redwood City, CA USA |
Little Fox Theater |
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Jul 20, 2004 |
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Santa Cruz, CA USA |
Kuumbwa Jazz Center |
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Jul 17, 2004 |
California World Music Festival |
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Grass Valley, CA USA |
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Jul 16, 2004 |
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Berkeley, CA USA |
Ashkenaz |
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Jul 15, 2004 |
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San Francisco, CA USA |
SF Jazz Festival |
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Jul 14, 2004 |
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Reno, NV USA |
Wingfield Park |
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Jul 13, 2004 |
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Milwaukee, WI USA |
Marcus Center for Performing Arts |
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Jul 11, 2004 |
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London, ON USA |
Sunfest |
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Jul 10, 2004 |
Chicago Folk & Roots Festival |
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Chicago, IL USA |
Welles Park |
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Jul 8, 2004 |
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Chicago, IL USA |
Spirit of the Music Gardens |
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Jul 7, 2004 |
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Philadelphia, PA USA |
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts-Perelman Theatre |
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News
- Photos: Kyiv musicians bring soul to Niagara
Ukraine world-music quartet DakhaBrakha entertains FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre audience
Wed., March 1, 2023
DakhaBrakha, an ensemble from Kyiv, Ukraine, brought their eclectic style of world music to the stage at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines Wednesday night.
Original Article
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globalFEST presents a series of annual awards that celebrate those that excel in the underrecognized but crucial global music field in the USA.
The awards are presented to artists, professionals, and organizations who have been instrumental in making significant, long-standing contributions to the field through risk-taking; addressing cultural diversity and diplomacy; activism; helping to keep, transmit, ...
- DakhaBrakha’s Ukraine Update: Dec 2022
Excerpt from interview in the Greek journal Hellas: Posts English
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- Songlines 2022 Fusion Award Winner: Justin Adams & Mauro Durante: Still Moving on Ponderosa Music
Justin Adams has long been an adventurous serial collaborator, but his album with Mauro Durante – leader of Italy’s premier pizzica band Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, who won the Songlines Music Award for Best Group in 2018 – ranks among his finest achievements. The meeting point for the musicians was a fascination with trance rhythms and ...
Press
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
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.
TUSCON WEEKLY
It would have been difficult to imagine a more joyous musical journey.
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 — Download (pdf)
Press Photos (high resolution):