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Balqana / Blog

Balqana 2013

WORLDMUSIC ON THE ROAD BALQANA (CH/NL) Travelling in Israel in December 2013!

Lineup: Monique Lansdorp (violin), Rolinha Kross (voc.), Hans Derksen (Accordion), Mike Horowitz (guitars), Roelof Rosendal (perc./oud) BALKANA spreads a music mix rooted in the sounds of the Orient, Eastern Balkans, much of Europe — and as far as America. The two front ladies Monique Lansdorp and Rolinha Kross provoke each other as well as the audience. Monique, a virtuoso violinist with charismatic stage presence is well-loved for her engaging heartfelt sound and fiery improvisations. Rolinha is one of the top Dutch interpreters of Eastern European and Yiddish songs. Her style is a "soundtrack" of her cultural roots: with a Jewish-Czech mother and a Surinamese father, what else would you expect?! With his vast experience in Gypsy and Balkan musicHans Derksen on accordion knows how to get an audience on their feet dancing! The pulsating rhythmic support is laid out by Mike Horowitz (guitars) andRoelof Rosendal (oriental percussion and oud). Mike grew up in New York hearing the strains of Eastern European music of his immigrant family. In his playing you can hear these musical elements on a collision course with the funk and blues of his native USA. Add to this already spicy ensemble, Roelof, a master dance accompanist/drummer immersed in styles from the Mediterranean world…and wait until you hear Roelof play the uilleann pipes!