Faith Elliott was working with Giffords Circus as an accordionist when she travelled to the Balkans to seek a local Romani violinist to join the circus’s next tour. Fate and fortune led her to the Serbian village of Grabovica and to the violin maestro Branko Ristic...
As Faith says: "They say music is the language of the soul. We took a leap to find out if that is true, and music has held us together ever since."
Branko and Faith, who are now married, perform high-energy original Roma/Jazz influenced music. This leading Serbian Roma violinist and UK accordionist form the core of the international quartet – combining the accordion, violin, effects pedal and tabor pipe with double bass, guitar and drums. They take the audience on a journey from melancholy Roma violin laments to storming jazz improvisation; swing, Gypsy Rumba, and Turkish influenced songs.
'Musically a delight..these virtuosic performers are a major discovery this year', The Guardian.
'Moving, breathtaking and virtuosic', Lopa Kothari, BBC Radio 3.
Faith i Branko will be at Presteigne Assembly Rooms on Friday, January 25 at 8pm. Tickets are available from The Workhouse Gallery in Presteigne or buy online on www.wegottickets.com
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