Edessa captures the passion and vitality that is at the heart of Balkan music. This often rambunctious band plays the intricate time signatures and highly ornamented modal music that is characteristic of the Balkans with authority and joy. An understanding of the unique connection between this music and it's expression in Balkan dance informs the ensemble's performances and derives from decades-long involvement as both musicians and dancers. Using both traditional and modern instruments, they play a variety of styles featuring long sets that interweave melodies and improvisation with a big Balkan beat. The sounds of this SF Bay Area ensemble include the ancient and mesmerizing music of the zurna and davul; the lyrical and sweet music of the Greek islands; the haunting, trance-like pentatonic music of Epirus; and-at the other end of the acoustic spectrum-the sizzling, contemporary Bulgarian fusion known simply as “wedding music.” Édessa is George Chittenden - clarinet, saxophone, zurna, Ari Langer - violin, Lise Liepman -accordion, Paul Brown - bass and Sean Tergis - percussion.

Balkan Sundays is a free weekly event that takes place at Revolution Cafe in San Francisco. The music act for this evening will be announced the week leading up to the event. Hope to see you there!