The Roma Jazz Ensemble
The Roma Jazz Ensemble
World Music With swingin’ jazz harmonies
Lache Cercel and his Roma Jazz Ensemble represent the latest chapter in an important movement in World Music – elite musicians from around the world who settle in Canada and create music that incorporates their own traditions with influences they find surrounding them in Canada.
In the tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephen Grappelli, Cercel lays classical and improvisational jazz alongside traditional renderings. Cercel plays with the outrageous virtuosity found in contemporary European Roma recordings, and adds his own vision. Together with Canadian guitarist/ composer/arranger Don Ogilvie and Stephen Nikleva he is creating a 3rd stream that is a new genre of music.
It is called Roma Jazz.
Many hours of experimentation have led to new rhythmic, harmonic, stylistic and improvisational techniques inspired by and drawn carefully from the vast pool of world music. Just as classical composers wrote music for specific instruments, with keys and instrumental techniques especially chosen to best bring the artistic message to the audience so does The Roma Jazz Ensemble bring something new to Canadian culture.
Lache Cercel has collaborated with many elite Canadian musicians, (Mr. Sal Ferreras and Laura Crema), aimed to set the tone for the musical love affair between East and West that define the group’s body of work. Lache Cercel’s music is firmly rooted in the Roma tradition which includes Doina, Klezmer, Classical, Middle Eastern and European styles.
His work has been supported by several grants from Canada Council for the Arts (Government of Canada). With these skills and the band members openminded interest in world music, he has created this new genre of music .
The Band
Don Ogilvie – JAZZ GUITARIST
Jazz guitarist and arranger, is known for his fine touch, finesse and melodic improvising. He has worked with Lache Cercel since 1998, adding his deep insight and knowledge about pulse, space, timbre and harmony nuances.
Stephen Nikleva – Guitar
Stephen is known for his collaborations with artists of striking originality, this has included Ferron, Ray Condo, Sandy Scofield, Petunia, as well as his recordings and tours with Sarah McLachlan. He has also released his own album of Instrumentals “Square Moon”.
Sam Shoichet – Bass
Sam is an explosive and bombastic upright bass, he has been playing to amazing audiences around North America, Europe and Asia for over 20 years. He has the perfect blend of spirit, presence, technique and taste.
Paul Townsend – Drums
Paul’s drumming has been recognized by jazz legend Gary Burton. He has shared the stage with Oscar Peterson, Clark Terry and Joe Lovano.
Kyle Hagen – DOUBLE BASS
Kyle is an active bassist with a bachelor’s Degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music. He is very experienced, skilled and knowledgeable in every genre of music from classical to metal.
Special Guests
Ehab Guitarrista
Ehab Guitarrista is an Accomplished Musician with a passion for Flamenco and world music . Ehab have Created a unique and soulful playing style and technique that incorporates elements from different genres of music like jazz, blues, Roma jazz, oriental, and classical music,. His commitment to excellence and diverse influences have established him as a standout talent in the world of guitar music .
Jennifer Layne- Singer
Celebrated globally by the industry’s most talented musicians, Jennifer Layne is an enchanting & dynamic vocalist & entertainer.
Meriem Ben Amor – Vocals
Meriem blends the richness of the eastern ornaments to the softness and clarity of the western music. She is a polygot and a pluri-diciplinary singer, who studied Arabic Maqams as wekk as classical music theory.
Laura Crema – Vocals
Cornel Cercel Concert Swing | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble | Jan 29, 2022
Tonakan Par | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble | Shadbolt Centre | Jan 29, 2022
“Romanian Rhapsody” & “The Lark’s Sound” | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble | Jan 29, 2022
One Note Samba | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble Featuring Dancer Andrea Monteiro | Jan 29, 2022
Bella Ciao | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble | Vocalists Laura Crema and Serafina Crema Black
Pennies from Heaven | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble | Laura Crema and Serafina Crema Black
Russian Roma Medley | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble | Shadbolt Centre | Jan 29, 2022
Comes Love | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble Featuring Vocalist Jennifer Layne | Jan. 29, 2022
Gelem Gelem | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble Featuring Vocalist Rebecca Shoichet | Jan 29, 2022
Saraiman | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble Featuring Vocalist Jennifer Layne | Jan 29, 2022
Waves of Danube | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble at Shadbolt Centre of the Arts | Jan 29, 2022
Gelem Gelem | Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble Featuring Vocalist Rebecca Shoichet | Jan 29, 2022
Lache’s shows are a beautiful mix of Roma inspired music and modern jazz. He finds diverse talent everywhere and includes the most unlikely combinations that somehow work.