LACHE CERCEL

Burnaby-based violinist Lache Cercel, originally from Bucharest, Romania, is a pioneer of Roma Jazz, a genre he developed by merging Eastern European influences with Western musicology. Designated an "Artist of the People" by the Romanian government in 1986, Cercel's music is deeply rooted in his Romani heritage, combining traditional Roma sounds with klezmer, Middle Eastern, and European elements, all unified by jazz improvisation. His sound features virtuosic violin lines over a dynamic blend of classical, folk, and swing, often performed with his Roma Jazz Ensemble, which includes collaborators like Don Ogilvie and Laura Crema. It's a rich, expressive sound that tells a story of cultural fusion and resilience.