Pyrenesia do for the gypsy jazz
of Django Reinhardt and Stephan
Grappelli and Eastern European
music, particularly klezmer, what
New Orleans’ Tuba Skinny do for
trad jazz and the Carolina Choco-
late Drops do for old-time hillbilly
music: lovingly and distinctly bring
an older style of music to a young
audience. Playing a fascinating,
mixed-metered mix of mountain
music from the Pyrenees to the
Carpathians to the Appalachians,
Pyrenesia (pronounce peer-uh-
nee-juh) make an impressive de-
but with their 12-song Off-Beat
Symphony. The collection features
eight originals, five of which are
awesome instrumentals, as well as
four covers.
The opening “Defiance,” one of
three instrumentals composed
by accordionist Tony Kovatch,
is a fusion of Eastern and West-
ern European rhythms that make
for a delightful global groove
and old-world romp. The similar
“Gadjo Carousel” is a playful tune
that sounds as if it was this much
fun to make as it is to listen to in
Watch a video for “It’s Not Sin” by Pyrenesia
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 58
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