Stuart Fuchs -Lead Guitar,
Geoffrey Fitzhugh Perry -Voilin,
Joshua Assad -Rhythm Guitar,
Kevin O’brien -Upright Bass
Influences
Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, Bireli Lagrene, The Rosenberg Trio, Stephane Wrembel, Robin Nolan, Ritary Gaguenetti, Ensemble Zaiti, Jacobo Do Bandolin, John Zorn, Oscar Aleman
Sounds Like
Gypsy Jazz, Jazz Manouche, Parisian Swing, about 20 strings being plucked, poked, picked, and bowed over wood.
Formed in the summer of 2005, Babik has quickly become one of the hottest bands on the U.S. gypsy jazz scene. The group performs more than 200 shows a year and these sizzling live performances have earned them a loyal following, as well as feature stories, T.V. appearances, and several awards.
Babik plays a special brand of jazz known as gypsy swing, which was created in the 1930’s by the legendary two-fingered guitarist, Django Reinhardt. The style blends American big-band swing with the exotic flare of European gypsy folk songs. Taking the name of Reinhardt’s youngest son, Babik approaches this joyful music with a modern sensibility -it is not unusual to hear licks from Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd- while still respecting the history and tradition of the music. In keeping with this tradition, the group performs all of their music on acoustic instruments. The guitars, strings, and even the picks, are specially chosen to produce that unique gypsy sound! The members of Babik are Stuart Fuchs on lead guitar, Geoff Perry on violin, Josh Assad on rhythm guitar, and Kevin O’Brien on upright bass.
In late 2006, the band released its debut CD, Pronounced Bah-beek, along with a concert DVD, Live at Sessions. Both became immediate 1 best sellers’ in the bands’ home-city of Buffalo, following a passionate sold-out release concert at the legendary Tralf Music Hall. Babik is currently at work on their second CD which will be released in 2008. The band has also undertaken a bold new project to perform their music with symphony orchestras, beginning with a concert with The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in March, 2008. Working with conductor/arranger Brent Havens, Babik looks forward to bringing the exciting sounds of gypsy jazz to the concert hall!
View Babik’s EPK
yeah man, good times, if there's anything I can do at all to get you guys gigs in Mass, please please let me know. Hopefully we'll see you again before next summer......
Hey Josh, thanks again for being there on Friday. It was nice to meet your buddy Chris too. Too bad you guys couldn't have caught the 2nd set, it was pretty funky. We'll definitely get you up with us on harp next time, I got caught up with playing. School is almost out so we'll have time to come on out and see some live Babik real soon! Peace, Gavin
Working on LeLuppe and looking forward to playing with you...thanks for the chance to collaborate with such an amazing band!! Sorry about the rainy bike ride Josh...
congratulations, you guys!!! they keep on coming and you keep knocking 'em down. i always knew you would. hey, did y'all hire yngwie malmsteen to play the solos? WTF?! go 'head stu!!
Greetings in Swing! from The Bow Djangos of Calgary, Alberta, Canada - buffalo country!! :-D You guys have a fabulous sound! Really enjoying it, and I hope you like ours, too! Thanks for friending! tess
Music with Life &more : that's why i love these sounds and yours in particular...i have preference for " daphne" but the others put emotions in our spirit that's why i hope u a long trip on the music's road!!:-))
