SLAVIC SOUL PARTY
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Slavic Soul Party! returns to Barbès for its every-Tuesday residency, a nine-piece brass-band set built from Balkan brass, funk grooves, Roma accordion and jazz. The listed lineup is John Carlson and Kenny Warren on trumpet, Peter Hess on saxophone and clarinet, Peter Stan on accordion, Tim Vaughn and Adam Dotson on trombone, Ken Bentley on tuba, plus Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist on percussion. Expect the band’s long-running local gathering in full force, with a repertoire that treats brass-band drive and improvising chops as equal partners.
The New York City band calls itself “NYC’s official #1 brass band for BalkanSoul GypsyFunk,” weaving gospel, techno, dub and Latin influences into its Balkan-rooted sound. Slavic Soul Party! has roused crowds in Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey, and says it has dazzled artists from Saban Bajramovic to Sufjan Stevens. WNYC called the music a “whirlwind blend” of Balkan dance rhythms and New York funk. Writing in the Chicago Reader, Peter Margasak heard a balance of “manic energy and irreverent spirit” with a deep understanding of Eastern European folk forms. Their Barbès Tuesday run has become a destination for brass-band listeners from around the world.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.