FEATURE: MUSICAL TALENT
All The World’s Our Stage Damian Le Bas meets three British-based Gypsy, Roma and Traveller acts and artists who will be performing during Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2010.
Romany Diamonds
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hree generations of Roma musicians make up the fast-paced orchestral sound of Romany Diamonds, including the renowned jazz bassist Vicktor Obsust. For London-based Diamonds member Ricardo Czureja, asking how he got involved in music is “like asking when a baby starts drinking milk”, as he was constantly surrounded by people either playing or listening to music. Ricardo was born on the mountainous border between Slovakia and Poland and both his father and his grandfather played the violin, so “the richness of Gypsy musical culture and their strong and beautiful heritage” surrounded him from his childhood. The Romany Diamonds are justly proud of their ability to weave other musical lineages into their sound, and they draw on Polish and Andalucian traditions as well as their own Romani jazz heritage.
Kerieva
Cristofe Sors
erieva’s unmistakable blend of Romani roots, electronica and experimental sound draws on her Manouche (French Romany) and Irish heritage, as well as her experience of living and performing in many parts of the world. Born into a musical family, she was just 8 years old when she began to perform in public. Kerieva is a skilled violinist and she often embroiders her soulful tales with the Romani language and others. Her first album was released last year and since then she’s been on the road from Scotland to Spain, taking in Eastern Europe where she hopes her music will inspire Roma youth to stand up to the growing surge of anti-Roma racism. When Kerieva sings that “The black legion has woken from a 60 years slumber and is conquering Europe”, it’s not just about history, but a shadow over the present that we all need to wake up to.
hose of you who attended the launch of GRTHM 2009 will hardly have forgotten Cristofe Sors, whose on-point Flamenco rhythms rang out around Westminster and pulled the crowds like magic. On his MySpace page he tells us a bit about his life. “Since I was very young growing up in Arles, capital of the Camargue, music has been a part of me. I have followed in the footsteps of the Gipsy Kings. Then when I was 19 I married the daughter of singer and founder Tekameli, one of the most beautiful voices North of Barcelona. Encouraged by my peers, including Brigitte Bardot, JP Belmondo, Jean Reno and Vincent Mc Doom, I continue to bring soul to parties. I travel all over Europe with my wife to learn more and more about music. I want to keep developing my own personal Gypsy Rumba sound: sometimes it’s melancholic but it’s such a true sound. Playing at the Houses of Parliament was a really wonderful experience. Thank you all!”
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www.myspace.com/romanydiamonds www.myspace.com/kerieva www.myspace.com/cristofesorstusabes All three artists will be performing at Sussex Gypsy Heritage Day, June 12th, Brighton which takes place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm at: The Brighthelm Church and Community Centre, North Road, Brighton ß
Djelem Djelem – The Romani Anthem Here’s a song that everyone should know to help celebrate GRTHM 2010. It’s the official Romani anthem written by Zarko Jovanovic in 1969 and adopted at the First World Romani Congress in April 1971.
Online Jukebox Visit the Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month website where you can hear songs by Kerieva, Ambrose Cooper and others on our web jukebox. And while you’re there, download the Romano Drom songbook a small collection of songs compiled with the help of Kerieva and Ambrose. Visit: www.grthm.co.uk/romano-drom.php
Djelem, djelem, lungone dromensa Maladilem baxtale Romensa Djelem, djelem, lungone dromensa Maladilem baxtale Romensa. Ay, Romale, Ay, Chavale, Ay, Romale, Ay, Chavale. Ay Romale, katar tumen aven Le tserensa baxtale dromensa Vi-man sas u bari familiya Tai mudardya la e kali legiya. Aven mansa sa lumiake Roma Kai putaile le Romane droma Ake vryama – ushti Rom akana Ame xutasa mishto kai kerasa. Ay, Romale, Ay Chavale, Ay, Romale, Ay Chavale.
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English Translation by Ron Lee I have travelled over long roads I have met fortunate Roma I have travelled far and wide I have met lucky Roma Oh, Romani adults, Oh Romani youth Oh, Romani adults, Oh Romani youth Oh, Roma, from wherever you have come With your tents along lucky roads I too once had a large family But the black legion murdered them Come with me, Roma of the world To where the Romani roads have been opened Now is the time – stand up, Roma, We shall succeed where we make the effort. Oh, Roma adults, Oh, Roma youth Oh, Roma adults, Oh, Roma youth.
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month Magazine