Twilight Music presents California-based, world music quartet Fishtank Ensemble at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 pm. The dynamic, virtuosic and fiery band plays a high-energy mix of Romanian, Gypsy jazz, flamenco, Balkan, Turkish, Greek and tango influenced music.
Fishtank Ensemble includes two explosive violins, the world’s best slap bass player, musical saw, flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar, trombone, opera, jazz and gypsy vocals, accordion and one little banjolele. Formed in 2005 and playing everywhere from the hippest LA clubs to festivals, cultural centers, museums, parades and even on the street, the band tackles everything from French hot jazz to wild Serbian and Transylvanian gypsy anthems, flamenco and oddball originals.
Fabrice Martinez, Ursula Knudson, Douglas Smolens and Djordje Stijepovic’s influences are rooted in their varied musical and national backgrounds, as well as from their adventures and travels. Knudson sang opera on the streets and town squares of Italy, until she found a love of gypsy music. French violinist Martinez voyaged around all of Europe in a handmade mule-drawn caravan for ten years, collecting music and experiences. Serbian bassist Stijepovic has spent time playing with gypsies, as well as some of the rock and roll’s legends. Guitarist Smolens is a master of flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar who honed his craft in the gypsy caves of Granada, Spain.
“Rompin’, stompin’ leaders of cross pollinated gypsy music… one of the most thrilling young acts on the planet” – LA Weekly
Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery is located at 139 Main Street in downtown Brattleboro, VT. Tickets for the show are $15 General / $13 Students and Seniors. For ticket reservations and information, call 802-254-9276. For more information, visit www.fishtankensemble.com and www.hookerdunham.org.
