Rip-roaring, foot-stomping, jazz-inflected klezmer and Balkan music from some of Scotland&'s finest musicians. An intoxicating, life-affirming mix of Eastern European dance music, Middle Eastern rhythms and virtuoso performances.
For a full list of upcoming gigs and links to venues please check www.moishesbagel.co.uk.
Formed in Edinburgh in 2003, Moishe's Bagel combines the energy and passion of Eastern European folk music with the excitement and soul of improvisation. Boasting some of the best instrumentalists that Scotland has to offer (Salsa Celtica, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Celtic Feet, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra), we are equally at home jamming in a late night jazz den, grooving at a forest festival, or enthralling an upmarket concert hall.
Everything began when four of us met in a local tango outfit, and once we had recruited a percussion wizard to give a new twist to the klezmer/Balkan groove, we knew we had found an unbeatable mix. Not too concerned with authenticity (there are enough people doing that already), we let the interaction of our individual musical personalities create our style. Our sound mixes klezmer, folk dance, jazz, eastern percussion and more, topped off with dazzling technique and classical rigour. Our live sets feature quite a bit of improvisation, whilst the energy keeps them highly danceable, as well as visually and aurally exciting. We are also building up an impressive body of original material.
Over the last two years we have toured England, Scotland, Ireland and Eastern Europe, plus regular appearances around Edinburgh and Glasgow. We have performed at the Larmer Tree Festival, Sessiwn Fawr, Belfast Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Sheep Music, Orkney St Magnus Festival, the Small Nations Festival, Islay Jazz Festival and many more, and this summer we had sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival and the Famous Spiegeltent. We have featured on Radio 3's Late Junction, performed live sessions for Radio Scotland and RTE, and our album Don't Spare the Horses has reached as far afield as Tel-Aviv, South America and Cape Town. We recorded our second album Amondala in 2007, and in 2008 we received a Critics' Choice award for sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Jazz and Fringe Festivals.
"exhilarating, full-flavoured stuff, often breath-takingly intricate but played with jubilation ... the Bagel acquires the momentum of an express train" The Herald
"expressive and raunchy .. improvising confidence but with a classical attention to detail ... striking new materia" The Guardian
"fabulous neo-klezmer ... a wicked sense of humour and massive chops that extend to Scots music, Latin and well beyond - they're going to go places" Global Village Idiot Magazine
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
In the magicalities of a could, Between the probabilities of a would, Beyond the trivialities of a should, In these ungraspable mysticalities There lies a secret a passage… To this extraordinary wood.
But for you, it unfolds easily and true And the only thing you have to do Is press play, and you’ll have a view.
"Balkan-influenced mania to make even the scurviest of sea dogs heave and haul those oars. Their virtuously raw songs turn Scotland’s capital into a Balkan fairytale of fog swept docks and drunken tangos.” - The Skinny
"Proficient Greek/ Polish folk act Fanattica recreate an authentically rowdy continental wedding party"- The List
Let us present a little comment, That in this very particular moment, Presents happiness for lack of rejection That turned into invisible connection Of ThiSpace and ThaTime friends One so sturdy, that it never ends, And a little video it sends...
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
If you have a band and would like to work in western central Massachusetts, I may be able to help book you. I started NC Booking back in '89 when I was booking a few bands from Scotland and Ireland. Now, 20 years later, I'm still booking great roots music acts. To find out more, visit http://northamptoncommunity.ning.com where you can REGISTER. Thanks!
Online Now!
