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A tiny Eastern Romanian village, called “Zece Prãjini”, having less than two hundred Gypsy inhabitants, where any male can play at least one brass instrument and having probably the largest number of bands in Europe – this is the place where the Fanfare Savale (spelling correct - Shavale) gypsy brass band comes from. It would be difficult to follow back in time their vast musical heritage as they have been playing music ever since they can remember and the gift of music and the instruments are passed from one generation to the other.

From three years old kids to seventy years old grandpas, each person is a skilled and fully trained musician here. These Romanian Gypsies earn their living by working their lands and playing music at various feast, weddings and funeral services. Usually they gather and play music only to cheer themselves up. On the other opportunities, e.g. on the so called “Green Gypsy Thursday” hundred of brass players come together from different villages, to demonstrate their skills, compete and party ”in private”, without entertaining any audience.

These traditions have been preserved for centuries and the Fanfare Savale are playing something peculiar in this Romanian region: Gypsy music that combines the traditions of ancient Gypsy music at a breathtaking speed – up to 200 beats per minute – with those of the Balkan area, producing wonderfully rhythmic tunes played. These ten musicians know extremely well the various music styles and although, most of them are barely able to play music by notes, can play any tune after hearing it only once.

The Fanfare Savale had a large number of performances in Romania. They were invited too, for most important world music festivals in Europe like Sfinks or Candela - Belgium, Sziget or Mediawave - Hungary, Music Unlimited or LinzFest - Austria, Paleo, Balélec or Festiv’Alpe - Switzerland, BAM ’02 - Spain, Festa Della Mùsica or Riva Del Garda - Italy, carnivals and various events.

Have played several times on world, folk or rock music clubs in Hungary, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, Spain or Slovakia and recorded a few tunes for a German studio.

In the end of 2003 they’ve recorded the debut album, in just four days. The album title is “Speed Brass of the Gypsies” and it will be release now in Europe through Sub Rosa Records, Belgium. The album contains 20 songs; these are Romanian, traditional, gypsy, heavy, special and very, very speedy!

Fanfare Savale “Speed Brass of the Gypsies”
Out on 31st January 2005 on Sub Rosa - sr236CD

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