The Budapest Cafe Orchestra set for Apex appearance

Led by jazz violin superstar Christian Garrick, The Budapest Café Orchestra is set to appear at The Apex, later this month.

The audience will be taken on a musical journey across Eastern Europe, and just like any good expedition, you can expect surprises, diversions and adventures along the way.

Mournful Klezmer melodies, raucous Romanian Doinas and Hungarian Czadas are countered by beautiful ballads, such as the theme to “Schindler’s List” and Andy Statman’s haunting “Flatbush Waltz”.

The show evokes vivid images of fiddle maestros, Hungarian café life and gypsy camp fires as the band whirl their way through traditional folk and gypsy flavoured music from across the Balkans and Russia with their immense skill and profound musicianship.

The aural alchemy comes from a small but impeccably formed orchestra of just four musicians, playing violin, guitar, accordion, double bass, saz and balalaika with a set list of Klezmer, Romanian Doinas, Hungarian Czadas and beautiful ballads, including the theme to ‘Schindler’s List”.

Accordionist Eddie Hession has accompanied Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Chris Rea. Christian Garrick has played with the likes of Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, Nigel Kennedy and Caro Emerald. Adrian Zolotuhin is a master of the strummed strings of domra, balalaika, guitar and saz.  Veteran bass-man Kelly Cantlon found fame in the late 1960s as a Vagabond with northern soul sensations Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. 

The Budapest Café Orchestra will be at The Apex on Thursday, October 17, at 7.30pm, seewww.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information or to book tickets.