CLEJANI EXPRESS
Viorica Manole-vocals, Ionel ‘Ionitsa’ Manole-accordion, Cornel Turcitu-violin, Adrian Belu-violin, Giorgian Stanciu-clarinet, Gheorghe Fani-sax, Cristinel Turturica-cymbalon, Marius Gore-bass, Adrian ‘Nicu’ Chiru-percussion, TBA-darabuca, drums
The Romanian gypsy ensemble Taraf de Haïdouks reached mass audiences in the 1990s, largely through the film Latcho Drom by Tony ‘Gadjo Dilo’ Gatlif. The musicians from the village of Clejani cooperated with Peter Gabriel and The Kronos Quartet. Founder and accordion player Ionitsa Manola and his wife Viorica mix gypsy music with contemporary dance rhythms in their current project, Clejani Express, which reaches out to the new generation of Haïdouks. ‘Viorica’ arresting voice and the impassioned playing of the musicians remain outstanding.’ (Het Parool)