Lache Cercel and his Roma Jazz Trio played at a house concert in Kamloops on the evening of Sunday September 21. The concert was part of a series that involved HomeRoutes.ca. This intimate setting was a wonderful way to attend a concert. Violinist Lache Cercel also proved that he is an outstanding music historian as he worked his way through the history of Roma music from earliest times to the present. Through spoken word and music he took us on trips through India, Persia, Romania and most of the rest of Europe, before settling in North America and of course, Canada.

The trio consisted of Cercel on violin, Don Ogilvie on acoustic guitar and Kyle Hagen on acoustic bass. Cercel, originally from Bucharest, Hungary, mentioned artists that were involved in the evolution of “gypsy jazz” including Yehudi Menuhin and other classical composers and performers. The band added a few originals to the program such as “Gypsy Mood,” “Acadian Celtic Jazz,” and “Pacific Jazz Hang.”

They also did renowned guitarist Don Ogilvie’s song “Samois.” It was written to honour the great Django Reihhardt and the festival that is held annually in the place where he died.

Medleys of familiar songs from movies and television, such as “Fiddler on the Roof” were combined with classical interpretations. “Rhapsody of Romania” morphed into some wild playing that included music from Don Messer’s Jubilee, “Orange Blossom Special,” and “Flight of the Bumblebee.” All of which were readily recognizable. The encore started with “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and morphed into “What a Wonderful World.”

It was quite a cerebral and entertaining evening. It was wonderful to hear pure unamplified sound coming from very talented musicians, in a comfortable, intimate setting. Lache Cercel and his Roma Jazz Trio are presently on a tour that is taking them through Alberta and British Columbia. Stay tuned to CFBX for more announcements about upcoming house concerts.