October 7, 2011
7PM Bethlehem Church Sanctuary
The Brooklyn-based foursome Pachora favors Balkan/gypsy/world-folk
influences without forsaking their savvy, modern jazz perspective.
A cooperative unit consisting of clarinetist Chris Speed, guitarist Brad
Shepik, bassist Skuli Sverrisson and drummer Jim Black, Pachora benefits
greatly from the many other group projects in which its members participate
on a regular basis. The musicians are remarkably proficient, and their
unison playing can be dazzling as they tackle the unconventional rhythms and
arcane melodies that have been effectively absorbed into original
compositions.
Speed in particular brings the Eastern European traditional sounds to life
while Shepik’s guitar straddles the space between two continents more
discreetly. Shepik’s work on the Bulgarian tambura and electric saz can be
quite rocking at times, and he leads the band into harder-edged territory
with excellent results. The rhythm section of Sverrisson and Black energize
this driving music with dramatic flair.
Downbeat – Dec 2003 – Mitch Myers
Read the New York Times Article about Pachora
