Balagan Café Band

An eclectic new project, this group combines the worlds of jazz, world music and classical, featuring the intimate chamber instrumentation of violin, guitar, cello and accordion.

An eclectic new project, this group combines the worlds of jazz, world music and classical, featuring the intimate chamber instrumentation of violin, guitar, cello and accordion and an elegant yet fiery fusion of improvisation and written music. Ranging from Parisian and American Jazz, the Chalabi music of Algeria, Tango from Argentina, Balkan folk melodies through to folk music of Western Europe, Balagan fuses these threads into a coherent sound that is both energising and evocative and features some of the UK’s most versatile and capable musicians:

Trading astronomy for the guitar, Christian Miller has played and recorded with a broad cross section of London’s finest musicians including: Nigel Price, Adrian Cox, Mike Monteiro and many others in music ranging from New Orleans jazz and swing through to bop, contemporary jazz and electric fusion.

Richard Jones is an exciting young British violinist recognised for his innovative sound, approach and adaptability in bringing the violin to life within a broad range of musical contexts. Since completing his studies at Guildhall, Richard has immersed himself in the London jazz scene and recent collaborations include projects lead by leading Jazz musicians Christine Tobin, Mark Edwards and Nicolas Meier.

Shirley Smart is recognised as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists. She has worked with many leading musicians including Avishay Cohen, Omer Avital, Yasmin Levy, Antonio Forcione, Mulato Astatke and Neil Cowley.