2016 20:00 15.03.Grand Auditorium Mardi / Dienstag / Tuesday Autour du monde / iPhil 13–17 ans

«Devil’s Tale»

Fanfare Ciocărlia & Adrian Raso Adrian Raso guitar, banjo Lorenzo Bortolon rhythm guitar Tyler Belluz bass guitar Benedikt Stehle drums, percussion Costică Trifan trumpet, vocals Paul Maria Bulgaru trumpet Oprică Ivancea saxophone Constantin Cântea, Monel Trifan tuba Constantin Calin tenor horn Laurențiu Ivancea baritone horn

~ 90’ sans entracte / ohne Pause / without intermission Fanfare Ciocărlia Interview with Henry Ernst Brian Howe (2012)

German by birth but Romanian at heart, world-traveler Henry Ernst was in Canada making a new record with Fanfare Cioca˘ rlia when we reached him by phone. The big Gypsy brass band, renowned for lacing high-octane traditional dances with winking Western influences, performs outdoors at Duke Gardens on September 23. Ernst first became a record producer, band manager, and record label proprietor—Asphalt Tango is now an authoritative Balkan and Eastern European music label—for the sole purpose of bringing Fanfare Cioca˘ rlia’s music to the world, stew- arding them from playing weddings in their remote Romanian village to touring the globe, winning a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award, and getting sampled by Basement Jaxx. None of it would have happened if not for a passing conversation between a Romanian farmer and an itin- erant German music lover. We learned more about the serendipitous sto- ry from Ernst, who also offered some reassuring words for any non-danc- ers out there.

Can you tell us about the record you’re working on in Canada?

We have been recording ten tracks for a Canadian guitarist called Adrian Raso who invited the band to play on his new record. It’s probably between jazz manouche, Gypsy swing, and Mediter- ranean music; very nice stuff. He simply contacted us saying he was a huge fan of the band, and wanted to ask if the band could imagine joining a studio recording. We have been listening to his material and the band enjoys the music. So it goes very simply, very quick. We arranged his original compositions into a Fanfare Cioca˘rlia style.

2 Would you mind telling the story again of how you discovered Fanfare Cioca˘ rlia?

I have been traveling in Romania for more than 20 years. On one of my travels, I had been very near to the village [where they lived]. I was talking to a farmer, buying gasoline, and it came up that I liked the music of Romania very much. He told me, «Hey man, go straight ahead and there’s a tiny village called Zece Praˇjini, where Gypsies live who play brass music.» This was total- ly new to me, so I say, «Yes, cool,» and go there to have a listen. I was supposed to be there for one hour, but when I heard the music, they simply blew me away. So I stayed three months and the idea came up to present this music in other countries, in my native country of Germany. This was back in 1997.

What was it about this music that you thought needed to be shared with the world?

I had been invited by the senior musician of the band to his house. He gave me a beer, and within five minutes, a young musician and a very old musician came up and they just started playing. It had such power, such humor—it was totally unique, you know? They play traditional dances from the region, cover versions from some pop music, traditional music from other countries like Bul- garia and Serbia—you can’t hear this music anywhere except in their village. It is very isolated and they perform their music in their own way.

Has that changed now that they’ve been touring the world for 15 years?

Of course, because of touring and doing projects with musicians from other countries. They got more open and added small parts of different styles like rock and jazz. But the roots and the philo- sophy behind their music are still based on their background.

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Fanfare Ciocărlia photo: Arne Reinhardt and Chris Piccinetti What drew you to Romania in the first place?

I grew up in East Germany and Romania was one of the countries we were permitted to travel in. I fell in love with this country be- cause it has a very nice countryside with very nice people. I have been everywhere in the world, but I would say Romania is the place I wish I had been born.

Were you already a record producer and manager when you first encoun- tered the band?

No, I had been a sound engineer but had nothing to do with the music business. When the idea came up, I sold everything just to get the cash flow. I started reading music magazines and news- papers to get addresses of clubs and contacted people describing their music, convincing them to book this band. Later on, let’s say, I learned the stuff I needed.

Did it take any persuasion to get them to form this touring band?

Not at all. When I told them the idea to travel on the road, they really enjoyed it and said they couldn’t believe it; it sounded too strange to them. In fact, we had to do the first tour before they realized it was true and we can continue in that way.

Because at first, they were basically a wedding and party band in their village right?

Yes, they played in the village and neighborhood villages, but they never played on the road or abroad, so it was a very local music.

Can you tell us a bit about the regional history of their music?

The main styles are from the Romanian tradition—dances like the Hora and Sîrba, which is a very fast dance for couples. But they also play Batuta which is based on the northeastern region near to Russia—the Moldavian Republic, which are usually very

7 fast tunes and dances. But all combined with ballads, chansons— it’s called «doina» in Romanian, which means very sad, slow songs.

Fanfare Cioca˘ rlia is obviously a tremendous dance band, but what about as a listening experience for people who don’t like to dance?

Our experience is that everybody will start dancing, even people who say «No, no, I can’t dance; I don’t want to dance.» [Laughs] This is music which is very infectious, you know? You listen to this and you can’t stop from tapping your feet and then starting dancing.

First published in The Thread. Reprinted by kind permission of the author.

8 Interprètes Biographies

Fanfare Ciocărlia Selon la légende, le diable se poste volontiers aux points d’inter- sections pour soutirer aux simples voyageurs leur âme et leur innocence. Mais les marchés, conclus à cet emplacement, n’ont pas tous à voir avec la mort et la dépravation. Le dernier pacte musical conclu par Fanfare Ciocărlia regarde bien plus vers le génie que vers la détresse et la perdition. L’ensemble de cuivres, originaire du petit village roumain de Zece Prăjini, a enflammé les salles du monde entier. À la fin des années 1990, les musi- ciens, avec leur jeu si particulier, ont popularisé un genre que personne n’avait soupçonné jusqu’alors. Depuis, les Roumains sont sans cesse en tournée et mettent en transe les publics de Berlin, Memphis ou encore Tokyo. Ils font comprendre de quoi il retourne à travers leurs instruments burinés et cabossés, à savoir leur passion pour la prise de risques. Déjà par le passé, l’ensemble globe-trotteur aux 24 pattes avait accumulé les rap- prochements détonants ce dont témoignent les légendaires «The Gypsy Queens & Kings» ou le «Balkan Brass Battle», ré- sultat de collaborations captivantes. Avec leur nouveau compa- gnon, le guitariste et virtuose du banjo canadien Adrian Raso, s’écrit une nouvelle page de leur histoire. Le style s’en voit re- nouvelé. En 2013, les Roumains et le Canadien se sont retrou- vés aux Metal Works Studios – Toronto pour produire un album, fruit de longues sessions nocturnes qui, depuis sa parution dé- but 2014, fait sensation. Le background de musique occidentale d’Adrian Raso et l’incomparable sonorité balkanique de Fanfare Ciocărlia s’interpénètrent pour former un rock ‘n’ roll teinté de Swamp Groove languissant et de swing, à la manière d’un Djan-

10 Fanfare Ciocărlia photo: Arne Reinhardt and Chris Piccinetti go Reinhardt lorgnant vers les années 30. Ce parcours les mène de La Nouvelle-Orléans à Paris en franchissant l’Atlantique, et de Paris jusqu’au fin fond des Balkans puis du Detroit sinistré aux mondanités de Toronto. Adhérer au style unique en son gen- re du guitariste Adrian Raso s’est révélé comme une évidence pour Fanfare Ciocărlia. Ils assistent, font monter la pression, ser- vent de guide, modèrent la dynamique, intensifient la sonorité et introduisent de l’ironie: la guitare tient les reines, le tuba et les trompettes donnent la direction. Toute l’attention est focali- sée sur la musique. Ouvrez grand vos oreilles – même le vieux Mephisto se sentirait désarmé face au charme de «Devil’s Tale».

Fanfare Ciocărlia Der Legende nach postiert sich der Teufel gern an Wegkreuzun- gen, um ahnungslosen Reisenden Seele und Unschuld abzu- luchsen. Doch nicht jeder Deal, der an solchen Orten besiegelt wird, birgt Tod und Verderben. Fanfare Ciocărlia’s neuester mu- sikalischer Pakt riecht eher nach Genialität – als nach Pech und Schwefel. Die aus dem entlegenen rumänischen Dorf Zece Prăjini stammende Blasmusiklegende hat unzählige Konzerthal- len rund um den Globus zum Kochen gebracht. Mit ihrer einzig- artigen Spielweise haben die Musiker Ende der 1990er Jahre

11 ein Genre populär gemacht, von dessen Existenz kaum jemand auch nur ahnte. Seitdem touren die Rumänen unentwegt und bringen ihr Publikum in Berlin, Memphis oder Tokio zur Ekstase. Auf zerschundenen und verbeulten Instrumenten machen sie deutlich, worauf es ankommt: Auf die Leidenschaft und die Be- reitschaft zu jedwedem musikalischen Risiko. Bereits in der Ver- gangenheit hat das weltreisende 24-beinige Blechblasmonster mit atemberaubenden Bündnissen den Planeten Kopf stehen lassen: legendäre Shows wie «The Gypsy Queens & Kings» oder das «Balkan Brass Battle» sind erfolgreiche Resultate spannender Allianzen. Zusammen mit ihrem neuen Weggefähr- ten, dem kanadischen Gitarristen und Banjovirtuosen Adrian Raso, wird nun eine weitere Geschichte erzählt und dabei kon- sequent Stil und Stilbruch gefeiert. Im Jahr 2013 haben sich die Rumänen und der Kanadier in den Metal Works Studios – Toronto zusammengefunden und in nächtelangen Sessions ein Album produziert, das seit seiner Veröffentlichung im Frühjahr 2014 für internationale Furore sorgt. Adrian Raso’s westlicher musikali- scher Background und Fanfare Ciocarlia’s unverwechselbarer Balkansound verschmelzen zu deftigem Rock’n’Roll, schleppen- den Swampgrooves und nostalgischem 30er-Jahre-Swing ganz im Sinne eines Django Reinhardt. Ein wilder Ritt von New Or- leans über den Atlantik nach Paris, von dort unermüdlich weiter bis tief in den Balkan hinein und durch die verfallenen Straßen- züge Detroits zurück ins mondäne Toronto. Dabei folgen Fanfare Ciocărlia dem Gitarristen Adrian Raso mit einer Selbstverständ- lichkeit in die abgelegensten stilistischen Winkel. Sie assistieren, erhöhen den Druck, übernehmen die Führungen, dämpfen die Dynamik, intensivieren die Fülle des Klangs und platzieren ironi- sche Schlenker: Die Gitarrensounds halten die Zügel – Tuba und Trompeten weisen die Richtung. Hier wird auf das Herz der Mu- sik geachtet. Ohren auf – dem Charme von «Devil’s Tale» wäre selbst der alte Mephisto hilflos erlegen.

12 Fanfare Ciocărlia photo: Arne Reinhardt and Chris Piccinetti

Adrian Raso guitar, banjo Adrian Raso est un guitariste et compositeur reconnu originaire du Canada et plus précisément de Guelph en Ontario. Il est l’heu- reux récipiendaire de la bourse 2012/13 de l’Ontario Arts Coun- cil Grant in Popular Music. Adrian a enregistré deux singles et huit albums instrumentaux. «Black Mamba» (2005) a démontré son incroyable éclectisme et son talent musical dans des styles allant de la musique tzigane aux sonorités méditerranéennes. Le travail d’Adrian est un bon exemple de musique commerciale pensée par un esprit musicien. En 2006, Adrian a publié son deuxième album acoustique intitulé «Tales of a Travelling Bohe- mian». Ce disque incandescent porté par la guitare souligne son aisance à passer du Moyen-Orient à la Méditerranée et à la mu- sique tsigane. «C’est La Vie» (2008) est un hommage d’Adrian au Swing tzigane et les quinze nouvelles compositions reflètent son amour de Django Reinhardt et de la musique française tra- ditionnelle tzigane. Cet album a été mixé par Nick Blagona. En 2010, Adrian a renoué avec ses racines électro avec la parution de «Clean Up The Mess», impliquant le batteur Jeff Consi («Nuno Bettencourt»). En février 2011, il a fait paraître le single rocka- billy «Dead Man’s Hand» faisant appel à Lee Rocker (The Stray Cats) à la basse et à Kevin Figueiredo (Extreme) à la batterie. Ce single a été mixé par Bob St. John et l’œuvre a été créée par l’incomparable Vince Ray. Adrian a publié «Nina del Sol» en 2011. Cet enregistrement, mixé par le producteur Bob St. John, lauré- at de plusieurs disques de platine et de Grammys, met en lumiè- re les influences méditerranéennes d’Adrian et sollicite des stars comme la légendaire Sheila E. (Prince, Ringo Starr) et le batteur Kevin Figueiredo (Extreme). L’année 2012 a été très chargée car marquée par la parution de «Liquor Talkin», d’inspi- ration rockabilly, avec son groupe électro The Big Deal. Par ail- leurs, Adrian a reçu l’Ontario Arts Council Grant in Popular Mu- sic pour soutenir sa collaboration avec le célèbre ensemble de cuivres tzigane Fanfare Ciocărlia en vue de produire «Devil’s Tale». Cette captation, pleine d’énergie, conçue par Adrian com- me un véritable mélange entre cultures orientale et occidentale, et traditions musicales donne au monde une expérience extra-

16 ordinaire. Il inclut des invités comme John Jorgenson (Elton John) et Rodrigo (Rodrigo y Gabriela). Cet enregistrement est sorti dans le monde entier sous le label Asphalt Tango Records. «Devil’s Tale» a commencé en numéro 1 sur la World Music Charts Europe. Il est resté dans le top 10 pendant trois mois consécutifs. «Devil’s Tale» a aussi été récompensé par le pres- tigieux German Record Critic’s Award. Des avis favorables ont amené Adrian à écrire de la musique originale pour des films in- dépendants et des productions de théâtre, et à recevoir des sou- tiens de Gretsch guitars, Godin guitars, Michael Collins guitars, K&K Sound pick-ups, The Deering Banjo Company et Biltmore Hats. Adrian passe pour un guitariste virtuose, un auteur-com- positeur unique et ses spectacles live époustouflants en Améri- que du Nord et en Europe ne manquent jamais d’impressionner le public.

Adrian Raso guitar, banjo Adrian Raso is a respected guitarist/composer from Guelph, On- tario, Canada and is a proud recipient of a 2012/13 Ontario Arts Council Grant in Popular Music. Adrian has recorded two instru- mental EPs and eight full-length instrumental albums. «Black Mamba» (2005) showcased Adrian’s stunning versatility and mu- sicianship over a variety of styles, ranging from Gypsy to Medi- terranean flavours. Adrian’s work is a fine example of the balance between commercially accepted music that is also readily em- braced by the technically minded musician. In 2006, Adrian re- leased his second full-length all-acoustic album called «Tales of a Travelling Bohemian». This fiery, passionate guitar-driven CD ac- centuates his ease of moving from Middle-Eastern to Mediter- ranean to Gypsy styles of music. «C’est La Vie» (2008) is Adri- an’s tribute to Gypsy Swing. These 15 new compositions reflect his love of Django Reinhardt and traditional French Gypsy mu- sic; this album was mixed by Nick Blagona (Gypsy Jazz legend Stéphane Grapelli). In 2010, Adrian got back to his scorching hot electric roots with the release of «Clean Up The Mess», featur- ing the drumming of Jeff Consi («Nuno Bettencourt»). In Febru- ary of 2011 he released the spine-tingling rockabilly single «Dead

18 Adrian Raso photo: Chris Piccinetti

Man’s Hand» featuring Lee Rocker (The Stray Cats) on bass and Kevin Figueiredo (Extreme) on drums. This single was mixed by Bob St. John and artwork was created by the incomparable Vince Ray. Adrian released «Nina del Sol» in 2011. This record, mixed by multi-platinum and Grammy award-winning producer Bob St. John, highlights many of Adrian’s Mediterranean influences, and features guest star performances from the legendary Sheila E. (Prince, Ringo Starr) and drummer Kevin Figueiredo (Extreme). Adrian was extremely busy in 2012, releasing the rockabilly-in- spired LP «Liquor Talkin» with his electric band, The Big Deal. In addition, Adrian received an Ontario Arts Council Grant in Popu- lar Music to support his collaboration with world-renowned Gyp- sy brass ensemble, Fanfare Ciocărlia to produce «Devil’s Tale». This high-energy recording, conceived of by Adrian as a true mel- ding of Eastern and Western cultures and musical traditions, of-

19 A Daimler Brand

fers the world an extraordinary experience. Special guest perfor- mances include John Jorgenson (Elton John) and Rodrigo (Rodri- go y Gabriela). This record has been released worldwide on As- phalt Tango Records. «Devil’s Tale» debuted at #1 on the World Music Charts Europe. It remained in the top 10 for 3 consecu- tive months. «Devil’s Tale» was also awarded the prestigious German Record Critic’s Award. Favourable reviews and criti- cal acclaim have led to Adrian to write original music for inde- pendent fi lm and theatre productions, and artist endorsements from Gretsch guitars, Godin guitars, Michael Collins guitars, K&K Sound pick-ups, The Deering Banjo Company, and Biltmore Hats. Adrian is considered a guitar virtuoso, an exceptional songwriter, and his jaw-dropping live shows across North America and Eu- rope never fail to impress.

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