A Chicago Klezmer band with a Balkan Twist
selected photos by jenmarekphotography@ymail.com
Balkano (rhymes with Volcano) is a Chicago-based sextet that melds the soul of traditional Klezmer, the energy of Bulgarian wedding music and the melodies of Turkish Gypsy music into an exciting original mix. The group was founded by bandleader and clarinetist Bryan Pardo as a vehicle to meld the influences of artists like Naftule Brandwein, Selim Sessler, Yuri Yunakov, and John Zorn into a new synthesis that mixes the Old World and the New. Since its inception in 2005, Balkano has played venues and events all through the Chicago area, including the Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Velvet Lounge, Martyrs, the Bottom Lounge, and Subterranean.
"The members of this local sextet (its name rhymes with "volcano") bring great joy and romance to their frenetic performances of Balkan dance music" - Monica Kendrick, Chicago Reader, Jan 2010