Art Bailey's Orkestra Popilar

With what we eventually learned was Art Bailey's can do attitude, he auditioned for the Klezmer Conservatory Band having never played accordion until two weeks before the audition. A true musical omnivore, he continues to learn all he can about the accordion and has since moved to New York to be in the heart of the creative music scene and learn all he can about Afro-Cuban, modern classical and contemporary rock  music. This album reflects his appreciation for the klezmer tradition.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:

On “Branch from the Tree” (HRL Records) by Art Bailey’s Orkestra Popilar, the bandleader and arranger digs deep into the mostly Romanian repertoire of immigrant-era great Joseph Moskowitz, who specialized in composing and performing elegant suites of music on tsimbl, or hammered dulcimer. With his quintet, something of an all-star ensemble including fellow Klezmer Conservatory Band members Jim Guttman on bass and Brandon Seabrook on mandolin, as well as two young, up-and-coming violinists, Bailey revives the lively sound of Moskowitz’s suites in arrangements that should appeal to fans of Andy Statman’s early klezmer recordings. And with this CD, Bailey establishes a place for himself in the forefront of revival-style klezmer, alongside musicians with whom he’s performed, including violinist Alicia Svigals, clarinetist David Krakauer, and trumpeter Frank London.    ----- Seth Rogovoy, Berkshire Jewish Voice