Led by accordion virtuoso Uri Sharlin, the DogCat Ensemble will be presenting new and original compositions blending jazz and classical influences with Balkan rhythms, Arabic modes and Brazilian harmonies on their debut release Back To The Woods which will be released on October 29th. After performing on the world's most prestigious stages with the San Francisco Symphony, Natalie Merchant, Flight of the Conchords and others, Sharlin, together with an all-star ensemble, brings forth an innovative vision which features classical instruments, rock guitars and unique percussion. The DogCat Ensemble features Uri Sharlin on accordion, Kyle Sanna on guitars, Jordan Scannella on bass, and Rich Stein on percussion with Special Guests John Hadfield on percussion, Harrison Hollingsworth on bassoon, Matt Darriau on bass clarinet, and Itai Kriss on flutes. They appear at Barbes in Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 23rd at 10:00 p.m. and they will have advance copies on the CD on hand.

Uri Sharlin was born in Tel Aviv, Israel where he completed his musical studies at the prestigious Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts. He served in the Israeli Army as musical director and pianist of the Army’s Jazz Band. In 1998 he moved to New York where he earned a BFA degree in music performance from the City college of New York. After graduating from school Uri collaborated with various renowned musicians, among which are Antony and the Johnsons, Natalie Merchant, Roberto Rodriguez, Frank London, Greg Wall and Pharaoh’s Daughter, to mention a few.

Uri was also featured as a pianist in the acclaimed HBO series Flight of the Conchords. In recent years Uri has studied with legendary Bulgarian accordionist Ivan Milev. He also traveled numerous times to Brazil where he studied Brazilian music on piano, accordion and percussion. Uri is curenly leading several groups of his own, among which are The Cardamon Quartet - with which he recorded his first album Reflections of the Road (Folk Dune 2005), Pluck and Squeeze Duo with Avi Avital, and DogCat and Other Animals. He appeared both as a performer and as a writer on numerous albums of many different musical styles such as Klezmer, Rock, Jazz, Brazilian, Balkan, Egyptian, and Moroccan. During his years in New York, Uri conducted school bands for different age groups (10-17), and accompanied religious services for both adults and children. Recently, Uri joined Maya Blank in establishing Play Me a Story Inc., a musical storytelling performance program for children. Together they engage young audiences in an experiential exploration of favorite stories through the Arts.

Barbes is located at 376 9th St. (corner of 6th Ave.) Park Slope, Brooklyn. For more information visit barbesbrooklyn.com