Biography
Lache Cercel Biography
ROMANIA’S PREMIER MUSICIAN
The virtuoso Romanian-born violinist has a soulful tone that speaks of generations of music tradition in his own family – and a staggering technique refined through years of classical music.
Lache Cercel has been recognized as one of Romania’s premier musicians. Coming From a renowned musical family that influenced and inspired his Musical career with wide range of Repertoire and knowledge between classical and Traditional Romanian and Roma Music .
Lache also Studied at the Academy of Arts in Bucharest, became a soloist with the orchestra of Radio and Television . and in 1996, was awarded and given the title of ARTIST EMERIT “Artist of the People” Citation by the Association of Arts and History of Bucharest .
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
2021
- September 23, 2021 – Lache Cercel and Roma Jazz Ensemble – Live Performance and Live Streaming – Shadbolt Centre of the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue in Burnaby
- September 21, 2021 – Eastern European Voyage – Lache Cercel & Sergiu Popa – Live Performance – Hadden Park Fieldhouse, Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver
- September 19, 2021 – Le Petit Marche Show – Live Performance with ROMada and Sergiu Popa – Montreal
- September 18, 2021 – Slavic Music Meet Block Party – Live Performance – Queen and Augusta – Toronto
- September 16, 2021 – Studio Recording at McGill University – ROMada Project – Montreal
- August 21, 2021 – Summer Stages – Live Performance – Civic Square – 6100 Willingdon Ave., Burnaby
- July 19, 2021 – Ashkenaz Festival – Barn Concerts – Live Performance ROMada – Roma musicians living in Canada, led by Moldavian-born, Montreal-based accordionist Sergiu Popa
- July 1st, 2021 – Canada Day Video Performance – Live Streaming – City of Burnaby – Festivals and Events Office – Shadbolt Centre of the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue in Burnaby
2020
- Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival (streaming). Lache Cercel & Roma Jazz Ensemble.
- Vancouver Folk Music Festival at VECC streaming show.
2019
- VECC ‘We Are All One Nation’ Lache Cercel & Roma Jazz Ensemble and Guests, (Roma Addition to World Music).
2018
- Canada Council sponsored Explore & Create Grant with Stephen Nikleva for one month to Romania with multiple live performances including Museum of National Literature, Universitatea Populara “Ioan I. Dalles”, and Academy of Science.
2017
- Western Washington University Orchestra Festival.
- Recording Session on song ‘I Feel it Coming’(a tribute song to Ahmad Zahir), with International star Mozhdah Jamalzadah, as part of the Ethnosessions series.
2016
- Victoria Django Fest. Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
2015
- Django Fest North West, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
- Mela Festival, Canada Day. Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Tour Project ‘We Are All One Nation’ sponsored by Canada Council, Romania & Turkey
2014
- Mela Festival, Canada Day. Lache Cercel Ensemble
- April In Paris, Vancouver’s festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt, Lache Cercel Ensemble
- CD Release ‘Inside of You’ Petunia & The Vipers
- The Contemporary Roma Experience, East Vancouver Cultural Centre, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
2013
- Mela Festival, Canada Day. Lache Cercel Ensemble
- April In Paris, Vancouver’s festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
2012
- Mela Festival, Canada Day. Lache Cercel Ensemble
- April In Paris, Vancouver’s festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
2011
- Throckmorten Theatre, Mill Valley, Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Django Fest North West, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
- April In Paris, Vancouver’s festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
- Mela Festival, Canada Day. Lache Cercel Ensemble
2010
- 10th Annual Stringband Jamboree, Bellingham, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
- Concert double bill Les Yeux Noirs and Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Romanian Day – festival celebrating Romanian culture, Lache Cercel Ensemble
- April In Paris, Vancouver’s festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
- Mela Festival, Canada Day. Lache Cercel Ensemble
2009
- Iraqi-Canadian Centre For Arts and Culture Concert with world-famous Iraqi musician, Serwan Yamolky
- Mela Festival, Canada Day. Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Django Fest North West, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
2008
- Ashkenaz Festival (Jewish), Toronto, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
- Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Jericho Beach, Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Victoria Jazz Festival, Victoria, concert at Royal Theatre, Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Sighisoara Medieval Festival, Romania, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
- International Roma Day, Romania NAR, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble
2007
- China Tour – Nanjing Jazz & World Music Festival, Beijing University, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing
- NW USA Tour Portland, Olympia, Seattle, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing
- Pacific Showcase, Michael J. Fox Theatre, Vancouver, Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Vancouver Jazz Festival, Vancouver (also played 2002, 2003), Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Canada Council Grant to Pro Artists, Romania.
2006
- American Folk Alliance Showcase, Austin Texas, Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing
- Released his 2nd recording, “Muzika Konkordo” with Roma Swing Ensemble produced by Sal Ferreras.
1994-1996
- Lache worked with the great conductor of the Radio, TV orchestra of the Romanian state Paraschiv Oprea on his first CD, ‘Lache Cercel Rhapsody Of Romania’.
EDUCATION
Socialist Central Commissioner of the Council for Culture and Education of the Romanian government bestowed on Lache the artistic level of Professional Artist. Lache was graded the highest mark (A1 Soloist). As a virtuoso soloist being represent the Romanian music and culture internationally.Previous performance highlights include:
- 2006-present. Music director for Chai Lounge, Chai Gallery and East is East, Vancouver.
- Video movie “Corona Station” (Bravo! Program), 2004.
- Earned a Hugo Gold Plaque from the Chicago International Television Awards, special achievement music score for his composition and score “A Cry for Roma”, for the movie “Suspino”.
- One World Rhythm Festival, Penticton, BC, 2003, Lache Cercel Ensemble
- Chinese New Year Gala Concert, Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, 1999
- 2000-2007 Musical leader at famous Italian restaurant Don Francesco, in Vancouver accompanied by George Ferraru, Stephen Nikleva, Kyle Hagen and Don Ogilvie, performing for famous artists including Jean-Claude Van Damme, Sharon Stone, Tommy Lee Jones, Sean Penn, Robin Williams etc.
- 1989-1994 Taught at Balkan Music camp (EEFC) led by Miamon Miller in their East and West Coast.
- Lache was awarded the Romanian Government’s “Artist of the People” citation in 1996.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- SOCAN Society of Composers and Music Publishers of Canada
- Vancouver Musicians’ Union
- BC Music Industry Association