SLAVIC SOUL PARTY
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Slavic Soul Party returns to Barbès for its standing Tuesday night residency, billed as an ongoing weekly gathering. The nine-piece 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 go, snare, and percussion. Expect the group’s brass-band set to draw together Balkan brass, funk grooves, Roma accordion, and jazz-driven ensemble playing.
Forged in New York City, Slavic Soul Party has developed its own virtuosic brass-band music over a Tuesday residency that the listing says has run for 18 years. The band’s regular Barbès sessions have become a draw for local listeners and brass-band fans from around the world. Their sound is described in the listing as “fiery Balkan brass,” “throbbing funk grooves,” “Roma accordion wizardry,” and “virtuoso jazz chops”: a combination carried by a large horn section, accordion, tuba, and layered percussion.
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.