Romania is located in eastern Europe, bordering Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.
Gypsy Music
Romanian Gypsy musicians are known as the Lautari. They pass on their musical heritage from father to son for generation. They earn the basis of their livelihood through engagements at weddings, baptisms and other festive events. The failing economy of Romania made it progressively more difficult for them to broaden their livelihood. That’s why they introduced their music to western audiences. The best known representative of traditional Lautari are without a doubt the world famous Taraf de Haidouks.
The children of the lautari moved to Bucharest where they roamed through the countless bars at night with an accordion on their back, a keyboard under their aim, a violin, a bass guitar and a clarinet in hope of earning some bakschisch (tip money). Each group has it’s place and the chances of them being discovered in one of the tent or corrugated tin restaurants in the huge new suburban settlements are slim.
Brass Bands
The origins of Romany gypsy brass bands are to be found in the Turkish military bands that emerged at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Then, the Ottoman occupation of the Balkans had a considerable influence that can be clearly heard in the music across Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania.
The art of playing music has been handed down from generation to generation since time immemorial. There is no sheet music. The instruments, bearing the marks of the previous decades, have lost their shine and gained their own patina.
Romanian Musicians
Damian Draghici
Fanfare Ciocarlia
Fanfare Zimbrul
Fanfare Savale
Ionica Minune
Lache Cercel
Mahala Rai Banda
Nicolae Voiculet
Orchestra Mihalache
Rom Bengalè
Taraf de Haidouks
Shukar Collective
