Brooklyn Čalgija takes its name and sound from an urban folk tradition of Slavic Macedonia and the southern Balkans. Emerging in the late 19th century within the Ottoman cultural sphere, čalgija (from the Turkish çalgı, “instrument”) brings together Ottoman classical aesthetics with Slavic and Romani influences into a refined café and salon style.

Shaped by the dance rhythms of the Balkans and melodies based on makam, čalgija is performed on oud, violin, clarinet, kanun, daire and darbuka. This vast repertoire is sung in Macedonian, and performances often feature taksim, creating a richly ornamented, old-world sound.

Adam Good - oud

Greg Square - clarinet

John Murchison - kanun

Jenny Luna - voice, percussion

Matt Moran - darbuka

Jerry Kisslinger - daire

$20 Suggested at the door