Via Romen
Nuevo Russian-Romani (Gypsy) Music and Dance
The Romani (Gypsy) musical legacy has always consisted of transforming the genres of majority and other ethnic groups. In the process, Roma have often created entirely new styles, inimitable compositions or unprecedented interpretations. The innovations may be as minor as a set of ornaments or as fundamental as a completely different rhythmic groundwork. In a number of Romani subgroups, musicians also make use of entirely unique traditions–for example, the vocal percussion performed by Central European Roma, among others.
The music of Via Romen, North America’s premier Nuevo Russian-Romany (Gypsy) group, is no exception. Their music and dances, drawn from a vast repertoire originating in Eastern and Western Europe and enriched by jazz, Jewish and Latino styles, enchant audiences with intricate improvisations, catchy tunes and flashy footwork. Deeply rooted in Russian-Romani tradition, this music is nonetheless modern, innovative and fresh. The group was founded in the USA by Vadim Kolpakov in 2004, and has since performed to glowing reviews in many North American venues. These include the New York Gypsy Fest, Harvard University, California Romani Festivals – Herdjelezi, the Colorado Festival of World Theatre; and the Romani Yag Gypsy festival in Montreal, Canada. The band members’ talent has been recognized by a number of famous artists. Two founding members of the band, Vadim Kolpakov and Arkadiy Gips, were part of Madonna’s “Sticky & Sweet 2008/2009” tour as part of the Kolpakov trio. VIA Romen has also performed with Gogol Bordello and Dresden Dolls. Their new CD “My Two Homes” is coming out this spring.
Vadim Kolpakov is a virtuoso Russian Roma (Gypsy) 7-string guitarist, dancer and vocalist of the young generation. Originally from Saratov, Russia, Vadim graduated from the Roma performing arts school Gilori and studied guitar with his uncle and mentor Alexander Kolpakov in Moscow. At the age of 15, Vadim began performing and joined Moscow Romen Gypsy Theatre, as a guitarist, vocalist, dancer and dramatic actor. Since then, Vadim started to perform extensively in Russia and abroad, he has given concerts in Carnegie Hall (New York City), as well as in the Kremlin (Moscow), participated in numerous musical projects on Russian, Canadian and American television and radio. He also has recorded CDs with Alexander Kolpakov and the group Gelem. In 2004 Vadim assembled his own group VIA Romen in USA, which has performed in many venues in the US and Canada. Vadim is a member of the Kolpakov Trio, with this Trio he has been on Madonna’s world tour “Sticky&Sweet 2008/2009”. Vadim also performs with Zingaresca, which he co-founded together with Oleg Timofeyev and which is dedicated to the Russian and Russian-Gypsy guitar repertoire. He collaborates with guitarist Alex Gorodezky in a guitar duo and was featured in NAMM 2010 conference, representing Kremona guitars. He performs as a special guest with various artists and bands in the US, such as Barynya (Russian Folk music and dance ensemble), Gypsy Klezmorim (Jewish-Romani cross over project band), and others. His musical repertoire includes Russian- and Gypsy-style compositions by Alexander Kolpakov, music by Sergey Orekhov, 19th-century Russian 7-string guitar repertoire and his own compositions and improvisations on Gypsy, Russian, classical, rap and world music. He has been teaching traditional Roma guitar, dance and vocal repertoire for two semesters in 2006 and 2007 as an Artist-In-Residence at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Petra Gelbart (vocals, accordion, and dance), a founding member of VIA Romen, is a Romani scholar, singer and activist. She is currently finishing a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology at Harvard University. Her voice has been described as “a lot bigger than her body” and her technique is often characterized by rich ornamentation. Petra combines the Romani vocal production she learned from her family with elements drawn from more improvisational and popular genres. As a soloist she has performed on many stages in the USA and abroad, including Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, Boston College, the Gypsy Celebration festival, the Romska pisen festival or the Salmovska Café in Prague.
Alex Gorodezky (6-string guitar, bass) started to play classical guitar at age of eleven and got his first teaching job at the local music school at the age of 17. At age 18 he got accepted to Kiev’s Glier Music College and graduated as a jazz performer (guitar), arranger and composer. In 1988 he debuted at the International Jazz Festival in Ukraine and then started touring from 1988 to 1991 performing jazz, and world music. At this time he started thinking about how to infuse world music with jazz vocabulary. In 1991 Alex moved to Israel, where he became a part of the Gesher Theater Company where he explored the theatrical application of his original works. He has been part of more than 350 performances and toured many European cities including Vienna, Basel and Berlin. In 1995 Alex moved to the U.S. and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his family. He performs and teaches guitar at his private studio. In 2001 Alex’s music was featured on the “Dixie Diaspora, – New Jewish Music from North Carolina” record as part of “The Rabbi, The Russian and The Blonde” band. He is a founding member of ELM Collective – a Raleigh based world music group. Their CD “Ecco La Musica” was out in 2007. He collaborates with Vadim Kolpakov in a guitar duo and was featured in NAMM 2010 conference, representing Kremona guitars. He also performs Nuevo Russian-Romany (Gypsy) music as part of VIA Romen band. Their new CD, “My Two Homes” is coming in 2010.
Marina Shanefelter (dancer and choreographer) developed her talent for dance in Estonia. She was introduced to the art of Flamenco in 1998, after which she studied in Spain to perfect her techniques. Marina returned to her home country eager to pass on her passion for Flamenco to young people. She have performed in such countries as Russia, Estonia, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Canada and the US. She currently lives in the US, has been teaching and performed with the Carolinas Latin Dance Company, participated with the Charlotte Salsa Dance Company and Argentinean Tango Society, and created choreography for companies such as Opera Carolina, and others.
Arkadiy Gips (violin, back vocal), genuine world-class artist, began playing violin at the age of three and at six, he was admitted to the School for Talented Children in Kiev. After school graduation, Arkadiy started performing with chamber and symphony orchestras as well as performing solo acts. Being a laureate of many national and international music competitions, he continued his education and graduated from the Rostov Music Conservatory. Mr. Gips became a well-known violinist in Eastern Europe where he played with a variety of orchestras. His performances included Ukrainian, Jewish, Romani (Gypsy), Hungarian and Polish music. In addition to ethnic music, his interests varied, among them country, folk and jazz. In the U.S., Arkadiy has performed with many noted musicians, playing jazz and country in addition to ethnic and classical style of music. Today, Arkadiy not only plays, but conducts, arranges and composes music. Arkadiy Gips is also a member of the well-known trios, such as “Amazing Strings” and “American Gypsy”, as well as of the duo “Dialogue,” with pianist and composer, Mikhail Popov. For many years Arkadiy Gips and Vadim Kolpakov have been performing Romani (Gypsy) music in USA and Canada, and they also performed together on a world tour “Sticky&Sweet 2008/2009” with Madonna as part of The Kolpakov Trio.
In addition, Via Romen features guest artists, – talented vocalists, expert dancers, and virtuoso musicians. This compliments the performance and makes it an unforgettable experience.
Dance with Via Romen !
VIA Romen will bring fire to your special event, no matter the size or location.
The ensemble is available as small as three people and to largest group up to 15 perfrormers including musicians, singers, dancers and speakers with beautiful traditional costumes.
Who are the Roma?
The Roma, known around the world as Gypsies, though Roma is the correct reference, struggle everyday against the stereotypes created by myth, legend, rumors and stories and have persevered over a thousand years of persecution and discrimination. Melodies and dances, handed down from generation to generation, reflect the very heart and soul of a people who have a great love of life and art. Every performance mirrors the zeal and devotion they feel about their craft and must be experienced to be truly understood. We invite you to join us now and discover what passion and heart we bring to our performances and to our lives.