Folk Dance Musicians and Singers
Compiled by Dick Oakes
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We have known many musicians and singers over the years, some here in our beautiful state of Colorado, who play folk dance music to folk dance folk to at a folk dance, too . . . or something like that. Here are some links for your edification and enjoyment. Let us know of others we should add.
If you're interested in sheet music for Balkan and International dances, check out the Ethnic Folkdance & Song Collection of The Village & Early Music Society.
MUSICIANS AND MUSICAL GROUPS
COLORADO
- Sherefe (Pronounced sher-eh-FAY) A group of musicians from the Denver-Boulder area who play music from the Balkans other Eastern European countries.
OUTSIDE COLORADO
- Balkanarama A Seattle band that plays Balkan party music for their village and beyond and maintains a directory of Balkan bands around the world--add yours!
- Balkan Cabaret Formed in 2001 as a collaboration between vocalist Mary Sherhart and the accomplished folk dance band, Nišava, this band hails from Seattle.
- Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble A Fresno orchestra that brings you the ancient world of beautiful traditional Armenian music and culture.
- Drita Albanian Folk Orchestra Drita, "the light," was founded in 1982 by Ian Price to present the extraordinary traditional music of Albania to American audiences.
- Ethnic Connection (David Owens [Director], Ann Arbor, Michigan. A really fantastic group. David was the director of NAMA.)
- International Folk Sounds A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based international folk dance band that plays music from Bolivia to the Balkans.
- Lyuti Chushki Spicy traditional Bulgarian music managed by Larry Weiner with lead vocalist Tzvety Dosseva Weiner.
- Tom Bozigian Middle Eastern Orchestra Tom Bozigian leads a folklore orchestra which has produced numerous recordings.
BALKAN BANDS
- Balkanarama A list of Balkan bands outside the Balkans maintained by Mike Gordon.
- Ethnic Connection (David Owens [Director], Ann Arbor, Michigan. A really fantastic group. David was the director of NAMA.)
SINGERS AND SINGING GROUPS
COLORADO
- Planina A group of eight to fourteen singers from the Denver-Boulder area who perform the haunting and beautiful songs of Eastern Europe.
OUTSIDE COLORADO
- Brass Menažerie A Bay-area high-energy group that plays the exciting music of Serbia, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, etc.
- Chubritza Arcata, California. The band plays a variety and mixture of international musical tastes and textures, while retaining a Balkan and Eastern European emphasis.
- Divi Zheni Divi Zheni performs "unusual songs of love and longing and of war and peace.
- Ethnic Connection (David Owens [Director], Ann Arbor, Michigan. A really fantastic group. David was the director of NAMA.)
- Kitka A professional women's vocal ensemble dedicated to producing concerts, recordings, and educational programs of Eastern Europe.
- Mila Vocal Ensemble Mila Vocal Ensemble sings a melodic evening traversing from the steppes of Russia to the mountain tops of Bulgaria.
- Orfeia Orfeia is dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional women's music of Eastern Europe.
- Podruzhki Their songs are about courtship, marriage, rites of passage, and boasting of hometown charms.
- Nevenka A Los Angeles, California, women's folk chorus performing songs from Eastern Europe.
- Rogue World Ensemble The group believes sharing the musical traditions of our world brings forth the potential for transformation, connection, and peace.
- Mary Sherhart Teacher and performer of traditional Balkan voice music.
- Slaveya A women’s vocal ensemble specializing in East European a cappella folk music.
- Yale Slavic Chorus The chorus performs traditional folk songs from Eastern Europe and the Balkans.