Playing a mix of traditional Eastern European Folk, Classical, Swing and Contemporary Jazz, The Roma Swing Ensemble represents the latest chapter in an important movement in Canadian World Music: elite musicians from around the world who settle in Canada and create music that incorporates their own musical traditions with the influences they find surrounding them.

Before leaving his homeland, Lache Cercel was one of Romania’s premier musicians and a recognized prodigy and virtuoso. His music is firmly rooted in Roma tradition and you can hear and feel the tragedy, history, struggle and spirit that make that music what it is. Mix it with jazz and glorious improvisations and you’ve got a performance you are unlikely to forget. Don Ogilvie is one of Vancouver’s most in-demand jazz guitarists. Don’s graceful melodies and driving comping can be heard around town in many swing and trad jazz groups. Sam Shoichet provides a rock-solid foundation to the trio with his bombastic upright bass playing. Moreover, he’s been known to sing a tune or two in Russian, Hebrew and several Roma dialects.