Balkan Brass

August 20, 2006 - 6:49 PM by

Marsh Dondurma

The “ingathering of the exiles” has brought a rich variety of musical genres and traditions into Israel, and it’s possible to find just about any sort of music here, from dixieland to Gregorian to . . . . Balkan brass.

Daniel Sieradski, aka the Orthodox Anarchist, introduces us to one of his favorite Israeli bands:

Ever since my very Bosnian friend Sasha introduced me to Balkan brass music when I first arrived in Israel over two years ago, I’ve been unable to satisfy my craving for it. It speaks to something in me unlike any other music I’ve ever encountered . . . . Thus it is my earnest desire to be in Serbia at the present moment, whereas only days from now, an annual week-long festival of Balkan brass music and folk-art will take place in the small town of Gu?a. . . . .

Fortunately, one group that will be attending the festival, officially representing the nation of Israel, I was able to see perform this evening, both satisfying my craving and assuaging some of the sadness of not being in Serbia: Marsh Dondurma.

Taking a cue from NYC’s Hungry March Band, Marsh Dondurma consists of roughly a dozen horn players and three drummers, and fuses Gypsy, Klezmer, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Latin, Big Band and Dixieland music into a joyous amalgam of brass, woodwind and percussive ecstasy. I have not danced so hard in quite some time . . . .

Listen to Marsh Dondurma here, here, here, and here.

And here’s Marsh Dondurma performing at a video rental store in Tel Aviv:

Tags: • Category: Immigrant Moments, Pop Culture 

Comments

2 Comments on Balkan Brass

  1. Udi Raz on Wed, Sep 27th 2006 11:11 AM

    2. Hey there
    I’m Udi, tuba player at Marsh Dondurma. Daniel, I’m happy you enjoyed our show so much. Serbia was great, and Guca festival was mad and fascinating. Here’s a video from the bands first night there:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjef-2vWKBo

  2. One Big Library. on Mon, Jan 31st 2011 5:50 AM

    3. Music 2010…

    It’s a little late for this but it’s one of those if-I-don’t I’ll-regret-it posts. 2010 was a terrific year for music for me. Many of my favorite artists released excellent new records, and I was able to see most them live. Retribution Gospel Choir…

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