Thursday, July 30, 8:00 p.m.

Gadji-Gadjo’s respect and passion for the cultures of Eastern Europe has inspired the Canadian band to create music imbued with the zesty, high-spirited style of the region.

Created by Quebecoise accordionist Mélanie Bergeron in 2002, Gadji-Gadjo is composed of musicians from various regions of Canada and Quebec; each member learned traditional pieces of the klezmer and Rom repertoires and brought his/her individual background and musical experience to the group. The resulting soundscape is unique—nuances of jazz, classical, South American, and traditional Québecois influences blend with the upbeat rhythms of Rom and klezmer.

With numerous successful concerts and an ever increasing fan base under its belt, Gadji-Gadjo released its first recording, Eponyme, in 2005. Soon the band was making waves across Québec, performing throughout the province at various festivals including the Montréal International Jazz Festival three years in a row (2004–2006). In 2007, Gadji-Gadjo released its second album, Sur le Toit des Voisins (On the Neighbor’s Roof), to critical acclaim. Remaining true to its chosen Rom and klezmer roots, Gadji-Gadjo blends hot improvisations and complex rhythms with an infectious, festive spirit.

Accordionist and founder of the group Mélanie Bergeron studied classical piano at the University of Montréal. She accompanied the dance production Un 2 sur le dos in New York, and in spring 2003 was part of La Chango Family, playing accordion and keyboards. In 2006 she performed with the group Quartango and appeared on the album Cortéo for Cirque du Soleil. In 2007 she was accordionist and singer with circus production group Cirque Eloize for its Mexican tour during the 2007 Universal Forum of Cultures in Monterrey, Mexico.

After studying classical music at Ozias-Leduc of St-Hilaire, audio-electronics at École Nationale d’Aéronautique, and electro-acoustics music at Concordia University, violinist/mandolinist Pierre-Olivier Dufresne found new inspiration in ancient and world music. Some of the ensembles with which he has performed include Sainte-Barbe (Medieval and Nouvelle-France music), Plumage (tribute to famed Quebecois singer Plume Latraverse), and Weshida (Middle Eastern chamber music). He played on the most recent albums of Jean-Francois Lessard, Manon Vincent, and Marco Calliari, with whom he participated in the large ensemble Mia Dolce Vita. He teaches violin to students of all ages.

From Vancouver, percussionist Ivan Bamford has appreciated jazz since the age of three. He studied with jazz greats Claude Ranger and Dylan van der Schyff, and worked with musicians including André Lachance, Bruno Hubert, Alan Matheson, and Coat Cooke before moving to Montreal in 2001, where he joined Gadji-Gadjo. Since then he has performed with Weshida, Cercamon, the Azerbaidjani Katya Sourikova Trio, Straight Pipe, and his own group Bam Bam.

From Quebec, Jean-Sébastien Leblanc discovered the clarinet at the age of twelve. He studied jazz and classical interpretation at the University of Montréal and has played in several jazz groups including Andrew Homzy Sextet, Straight Pipe, and Quatuor Carré. He is also a recording musician, teacher, and composer.

Guitarist Jean Desrochers has collaborated with diverse ensembles like Caramba, Syncop, and Kleztory. He is also a member of the trio La Shunta, a group inspired by South American folk music. He is currently recording a new project of traditional music from Québec.

Upright bassist Mathieu Deschenaux acquired a B.A. in jazz interpretation at McGill University. He is currently playing with a diverse company of musicians, from Indy folk musician Émilie Proulx and the electro pop band Eden106, to manouche swing ensemble Le Hot Club De Ma Rue, jazz trio Straight Pipe, and jazz artist Andrew Homzy. He is also a film composer.