OLEG PONOMAREV (violin) Born in Habarovsk, Russia, he is perhaps best known for his role in Loyko, the Russian gypsy group which achieved international fame in the nineties. Ponomarev is a consummate musician and composer who has won many international awards, and whose intense stage presence and mastery of the violin have won him fans and critical acclaim all over the world.
As well as recording four albums with Loyko and tracks with Ron Wood and Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones, Oleg has been invited to play for Yehudi Menuhin, Placido Domingo and Ravi Shankar, He has composed for and played on film and tv soundtracks, including the movie “Onegin” starring Ralph Fiennes.
LEV ATLAS (violin) Lev has enjoyed an outstanding career as a classical musician in his native Russia, America and the UK. He was a member of the award-winning Rostov String Quartet and the Rachmaninov Trio and he is currently Principal Viola of the Scottish Opera Orchestra. He is renowned as a virtuoso Klezmer and Eastern European folk music performer and has influenced musicians across Europe. He is also a living encyclopaedia of hundreds of traditional tunes.
NIGEL CLARK (guitar) Clark is one of the UK’s leading jazz guitarists. Since the nineties he has performed as accompanist to the internationally renowned jazz singer Carol Kidd, and he is a founding composer/performer with the groundbreaking Scottish Guitar Quartet. He is the only European musician to have an exclusive recording contract with the legendary independent New York jazz label Arkadia Records.
Founded by virtuoso Gypsy violinist Oleg Ponomarev, Russian classical violinist Lev Atlas and Scots guitarist extraordinaire Nigel Clark, the trio have been enchanting audiences throughout the UK, Europe and Ireland with their innovative “World Gypsy Music”, a heady cocktail of gypsy tunes from all over the world, spiced with elements of jazz, rock, folk and flamenco.
Koshka’s unique collaboration has been developing since 2001, when the trio first came together in Glasgow. It includes a hefty catalogue of Oleg Ponomarev’s original material, inspired by traditional melodies and arranged in unexpected new ways. Ranging from outrageous quick-tempo gypsy dance tunes, to the most achingly beautiful violin airs this side of the Carpathians, Koshka’s set gives audiences a chance to see and hear Gypsy music played as never before.
"KOSHKA is an astonishingly gifted trio......"
THE LIST
"Glasgow-based trio Koshka's members chart a geographical link between Astrakan, Vladivostock and Cathcart and their repertoire is similarly broad-ranging, their two violinists stringing together Hot Club swing, conservatory expertise, expressive ballad and mirthful slapstick episodes while guitarist Nigel Clark variously holds it all together, propels his colleagues and matches their quicksilver intricacies..
….spellbinding.”
THE HERALD
"Their frenetic technical prowess, swaggering melodrama and liberal lacing of playful wit had the audience roaring their approval”.
THE SCOTSMAN
"The chemistry between them creates a mesmerising mix of virtuosity, playfulness and emotional intensity”
Rhythm Festival 2009
21-23 August
Twinwood Arena, Clapham, Beds, MK41 6AB
The Proclaimers, Alabama 3, Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, The Beat, Terry Reid, Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers, James Hunter, Alvin Youngblood Hart, The Blow Monkeys, Pentangle, The Strawbs, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash and LOADS more...
http://www.rhythmfestival.net
Dear Oleg, Lev and Nigel Your music is awesome, wonderful and miraculous... Thank you for you friendship, it is honour for me. I wish you all the best. Mariola
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing incl the award winning The Demon Barbers.
Visit www.beverleyfestival.com for TICKETS and MORE INFO
Thanks for accepting my add request - it was a real pleasure to work with you in Aylesbury. We really look forward to catching a live show again soon! Linda xxx
Hello, Koshka & Glasgow! I am so happy that your music is now flying around in cyber-space. Yes I will let you know when my new radio show "Fellow Travelers" is on inter-net radio. Perhaps we can do a phone interview with the band. Please send my best to all my friends at the cafe. Look forward to seeing you on the next tour tour. Your Banjo Picking pal Rik PS Hugs to Linda
Hi you guys, It would be my total pleasure to be your friend. I adore your music. Nigel is here with me in Majorca we are listening to it as we speak. Please keep in touch and I hope to see you at the "Russian Cafe" Glasgow very soon, Loadza luv, Carol---------------xxxx
OLEG PONOMAREV (violin)
Born in Habarovsk, Russia, he is perhaps best known for his role in Loyko, the Russian gypsy group which achieved international fame in the nineties. Ponomarev is a consummate musician and composer who has won many international awards, and whose intense stage presence and mastery of the violin have won him fans and critical acclaim all over the world.
As well as recording four albums with Loyko and tracks with Ron Wood and Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones, Oleg has been invited to play for Yehudi Menuhin, Placido Domingo and Ravi Shankar, He has composed for and played on film and tv soundtracks, including the movie “Onegin” starring Ralph Fiennes.
Lev has enjoyed an outstanding career as a classical musician in his native Russia, America and the UK. He was a member of the award-winning Rostov String Quartet and the Rachmaninov Trio and he is currently Principal Viola of the Scottish Opera Orchestra. He is renowned as a virtuoso Klezmer and Eastern European folk music performer and has influenced musicians across Europe. He is also a living encyclopaedia of hundreds of traditional tunes.
Clark is one of the UK’s leading jazz guitarists. Since the nineties he has performed as accompanist to the internationally renowned jazz singer Carol Kidd, and he is a founding composer/performer with the groundbreaking Scottish Guitar Quartet. He is the only European musician to have an exclusive recording contract with the legendary independent New York jazz label Arkadia Records.
