Primary Instrument: Band/orchestra
Raya Brass Band does it on the dance floor, mashing up the music of Eastern Europe with American dance grooves. Featuring odd meters, unusual scales and a fine helping of gorgeous Balkan and Romany (Gypsy) melodies played on reeds, trumpet, accordion, tuba and drums, Brooklyn favorites Raya Brass Band brings you the best in Eastern European wedding music.
Raya Brass Band draws in both average listeners and Eastern European folk music aficionados alike with its energetic and engaging portable show. As a fully acoustic ensemble, Raya Brass Band can wander freely, bringing a Balkan style dance party to every corner of the room. With members of the band ready to teach basic Balkan dances at the drop of a hat, the audience can choose to listen, learn some new dance steps, or shake everything they’ve got however they like!
Since its inception, Raya Brass Band has thrilled audiences throughout New York City at events ranging from late night rooftop parties parties, Mardi Gras celebrations and large Balkan music festivals to humble community concerts and impromptu “guerilla” shows. By channeling the festive, exciting and spontaneous music of the Balkans, Raya Brass Band brings the immediate and joyous experience of the Eastern European village brass band from its own “village” of Brooklyn, NY.
The band has recently appeared at Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Joe’s Pub Summer Salon Series with Sxip Shirey at the Cooper Square Hotel, the Brooklyn Flea, Queens Library, Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY, the Children’s Museum of Art in Manhattan and Sarah Small’s Tableaux Vivant at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn.
Raya Brass Band is:
Greg Squared – Saxophone
Ben Syversen – Trumpet
Matthew “Max” Fass – Accordion
Don Godwin - Tuba
EJ Fry – Percussion
