Taraf de Haidouks, whose name translates as "band of brigands," are a village band of Gypsy lautari (traditional musicians), who come from a small Romanian town called Clejani. They are a dozen instrumentalist and brilliant singers, aged 20 to 78 years old, that never had played outside their region, until Stefan Caro and Michel Winter (two Belgian musicians) fell in love with their music in a trip to Romania in 1990, and decided to transmit their passion for this music to the rest of the world.

The first album "Musique des Tsiganes de Roumanie ", introduced to westerners the rich world of the Gypsy music of Rumania, that includes medieval ballads, the Turkish style of the Balkan dances, and the characteristic vocal style, reminiscent of the roots that come from India.

In 1992 Taraf's memebrs were invited to play and to record in a television program with Yehudi Menhuin. Also they carried out an important part in the film "Latcho Drom," by French Gypsy director Tony Gatlif, who earned several awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

The second album by Taraf de Haidouks, titled "Honourable Brigands, Magic Horses and Evil Eye ", was recorded in Romania in 1994. The reaction was so warm that the disc was chosen by the German critics as "best World Music album" in 1995. In addition French director, Guy Demoy produced a 52 minute documentary for the French-German TV network, Channel Art. color: maroon" 

During the breaks from touring the West, the members of Taraf always return to their town, Clejani, and to their traditional style of life. They live music for music, and are present in all the events of the social life of the town: baptisms, weddings, etc. These musicians, when choosing their name, wanted to pay a tribute to the Haidouks, legendary Robin-Hood style bandits, who were heroes in the medieval ballads, (Taraf simply means Orchestra).

"Dumbala Dumba ", the third album, was recorded at a home in Clejani at the end of l997. The Taraf invited a series of very particular collaborators and the great interpretations of these guests next to Taraf de Haidouks make this album a fresh, intimate and poetic work.

In addition to their work as musicians, Taraf's members have also participated as fashion models in Paris with the prestigious Japanese stylist Yohji Yamamoto, and the choreography of Pina Baush.

During these last years Taraf de Haidouks have performed in the Royal Festival Hall of London next to the legendary Kronos Quartet. 

Taraf de Haidouks also appeared in a major Hollywood motion picture with Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Harry Dean Stanton and John Turturro in the film "The man who cried "by English director Sally Potter. Taraf wrote five songs for the sound track.

One of the group's veteran players, violinist Neascu Neculae, died September 3, 2002.

Musicians:

Manole Ionel - accordion
Falcaru Gheorge - flute
Baicu Dumitru - Valachian cymbalom
Vlad Viorel - double bass
Lautaru Constantin - violin
Anghel Gheorghe - violin

Musique des Tziganes de Roumanie (Crammed World Craw 02)

Honourable Brigands, Magic Horses and Evil Eye (Crammed World Craw 13, )

Dumbala Dumba (Crammed World Craw 21, 1998)

Taraf de Haïdouks, compilation (Nonesuch Records 79554, 1999)

Band of Gypsies (Crammed World Craw 24, 2001)

Maskarada

Continuing Adventure of Taraf De Haidouks