LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND at DROM
May 10, 2008 at 8pm
DROM
85 Avenue A (bet. 5&6th streets)
F train to 2nd Avenue
Tickets: $15 in advance / $20 at the door
[buy tickets here -- no service charge!]
LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND (formerly Ljova & the Vjola Contraband) -- is chamber-jam music for the "remix generation". As if by alchemy, Eastern-European and Gypsy melodies, Latin rhythms, Jazz-inspired improvisations, and deeply rooted Classical forms are given new meanings. Founded by the maverick film composer, arranger, and violist Lev 'LJOVA' Zhurbin --- hailed by Billboard magazine as "one of New York's fastest rising composers and instrumentalists" -- the ensemble features two violas, accordion, bass, and percussion. Inspired by his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Osvaldo Golijov, the Kronos Quartet, the rapper Jay-Z and others, Ljova's compositions dazzle with intricate textures, odd rhythms and lilting melodies, creating music that is both fresh and timeless..
Ljova, viola
Inna Barmash, vocal
Patrick Farrell, accordion
Mike Savino, bass
Mathias Kunzli, percussion
Watch videos of Ljova and the Kontraband on YouTube!
Ljova and the Kontraband reviewed by Justin Davidson in NEWSDAY
