Slavic Soul Party at Festival International....

People tell me, "I like old music." It was about 20 years ago we got our hands on a Slavic Soul Party CD so I guess this could fall under the old category. They have been on our list to see live ever since. We finally got the chance last week when they played Festival International in Lafayette, La. 

Slavic Soul Party is an American band based in New York City. They play in a Balkan style that synthesizes Roma, funk, jazz, klezmer and more into a lively blend. They open for some big rock bands on occasioanl, play festivals like this but most often they can be seen on Tuesday nights at Barbes in Brooklyn. This summer they will celebrate 1000 Tuesday gigs there. I've been to Barbes and it's an intimate venue about the size of the this festival stage.   

I'm always up for some drum and tuba. I think this gentleman was a sub. They thanked him for sitting in, he was the only player with a cheat sheet on a stand and I have forgotten his name. 

Fantastic triple tonguing by the trombones and trumpets. Really virtuoso players. Checking out the bands tour schedule I would imagine some of these guys have days jobs and though they might be music related such as teaching or working in a music store or such it shows how hard it is for great players to make it in the business.  

Matt Moran is the energetic band leader. I love the bass drum cymbal set up. Lot of bands using it at HonkTx and we also saw a drum group from Columbia called La Perla at this festival.  

Cathy took this great cell phone photo of the accordion player. She stretched out over the rail and it seemed he posed just for her but I think he was actually looking down her shirt when she leaned forward. Accordion players will do that. I think I had a photo of Mary and Miguel with accordion  conjunto great Flaco Jiménez and Flaco seems to be looking down Mary's shirt.   

Great to accomplish a goal of seeing a favorite band. I have a hatful of their CDs.  Check out old music. There are some bands out there making it sound new.