This is your final nudge that our Balkan Music Workshop at the wonderful Bridge Farm is happening this Sunday, May 17th! What’s in the secret bag? 🤫 I’ll be sharing a couple of gems from my private collection, including a charismatic, odd-metered dance piece that hasn't really made its way into the UK Balkan circles yet. We’ll learn by ear (it’s more intuitive that way!), but I’ll have sheet music as a "safety net" for those who want it. The Details: 📅 When: Sunday 17th May

In this snippet, Amarisi Amari sets the stage as Grandma Baba raises the stakes and makes a deal with the devil: 13x the lentils for one maiden's hand. Experience the vibrant, dark, and whimsical world of Eastern European rhythms as you’ve never heard them before.

This is a little nudge that our Balkan Music Workshop at the wonderful Bridge Farm Bristol is fast approaching on Sunday, May 17th! 📅 When: Sunday 17th May | 10.30am – 2pm 📍 Where: Bridge Farm, Glenfrome Road, Bristol BS16 1BQ 🎟️ Fee: £25 / £20 Concession 🎻 Who: All melodic instruments (Strings, Wind, Accordion, etc.!)

day we are celebrating Ederlezi, the most important festival for Romani people around the world. It is a day that marks the arrival of Spring, and a time of rebirth, awakening, and the enduring strength of the Romani spirit.

To celebrate, I’m sharing a little slice of high-energy joy: the final Gypsy Swing section of Zigano, performed with my wonderful partner-in-crime, Jeremy. There’s something about the "Manouche" spirit that just feels like a proper party, isn't it? 🥂💃 This excerpt captures the Magic Violin soul at its most playful. Jazz is all about freedom and conversation, and there’s no conversation I enjoy more than a fast-paced swing with a dear friend. Enjoy this moment with us!!

We are continuing our 20th-anniversary celebrations, and this time, we’re bringing the journey to the lovely, historic Chichester Inn! 🎻

The Devil’s Lentil Soup is BACK on the stove! 🍲🔥 We’ve reheated this fan-favorite tale with a brand-new Remastered Version, produced by the Magic Violin herself, Gundula Stojanova Gruen, and recorded by the legendary Tatcho Drom. In this snippet, Greetings From Kalotaszeg sets the stage as the devil decides to climb up to earth for some fresh air. Experience the vibrant, dark, and whimsical world of Eastern European rhythms as you’ve never heard them before. From infernal

Whether you play a violin, a guitar, a mandolin, or even an oud, if you can carry a melody or hold down a rhythm, there is a chair with your name on it. We’ll be learning by ear to really capture the "sighs" and "shouts" of the music, with sheet music to help us along the way 🎼 The Details: 📅 When: Friday 8 – Sunday 10 May 2026 📍 Where: Benslow Music, Hitchin (UK) 🎭 Tutor: Gundula Stojanova Gruen

Jeremy and I will be looking back through our archives to perform a repertoire hand-picked from my fieldwork travels — from soulful Hungarian laments to the spirited songs of the Sinti Romani 🌍🎻 We are delighted to be working with Folk and Roots (folkandroots.co.uk) to bring this celebration to the beautiful setting of St Paul’s Church Gardens in Camden Square!