Janam at Red Poppy Art House October 14, 2011

Janam ("My Soul") creates a compelling, eclectic mix of Balkan, Romani, Sephardic and American roots music plus originals. Led by golden-throated Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble veteran Juliana Graffagna, Janam proves that the foothills of the Balkans and the Appalachians lie in Oakland. The ensemble features virtuosic Bay Area players, including a multi-instrumentalist who tours with whirling dervishes and one of the best Balkan-style clarinetists around. Janam's funky meters, bittersweet modes, driving tunes, and sultry ballads invoke the nightingales and dark eyes, the hot love and cold hollows of Europe and America's most musical mountains. Janam is Juliana Graffagna, voice; Peter Jaques, clarinet, ney & voice; Tom Farris, accordion, laouto & guitar; Gari Hegedus, oud, mandocello & violin; and Dan Auvil, percussion.

"An innovative ensemble that explores a dizzying range of styles, from Appalachia and Asia Minor to Eastern Europe. The sextet plays swirling, hard-driving music that always seems to end up in unexpected places." SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

"This fine group goes on a world tour of Eastern Europe...with no cultural jet lag."
SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT

"They're a band to watch, with some sterling musicianship and a real sense of fervor about them."
SING OUT!

Official Website: http://janamband.com