MMW: Slavic Soul Party!

Saturday, February 15th, 2014 // Blogs,MMW

While listening to WRCT years ago, I heard DJ Don’t Play Dat’s Brass Band Power Hour. I fell in love with the joyous sound of New Orleans Brass Bands and soon learned that there were other brass bands playing music based on Balkan brass band music. Some of those bands, such as New York’s Zlatne Uste were devoted to playing within within the Eastern European traditions. Others, such as Slavic Soul Party, were happy to bring themes from other brass band traditions to Balkan songs.

Slavic Soul Party are five New York City musicians who put on an excellent live show. I saw them once play a late night show at the Johnstown Folk Festival at one of three stages. The small audience was sluggish at first but by after a few songs, many more folks came in and everyone was on their feet dancing. This is happy, energetic music with room for great improvisations. If you have a chance to see this band live, go for it!

Hear it: Kenny Joe presents Pinkney Hall every Friday morning from 9 until 10