Menu
Testimonials
We were certainly intrigued when we read Czarna Wolgastar’s application for Jazz Along the Charles! Self-described as ‘an intergalactic Balkan surf-jazz trio,’ Czarna Wolgastar stood out in a sea of over 100 applications. Their unique approach to Jazz elevated the event and showcased the diversity of the genre. Attendees really enjoyed their style and interpretations of the set list. They were a pleasure to work with and we’re so glad they were able to perform!Elizabeth KracunasSr. Mgr. Performance Operations @ Celebrity Series of Boston
Thanks for a good concert the other night. I'm so impressed by the group's remarkable technique and ensemble playing. The creativity of the concert theme and music selections was both fun and interesting. CF Guthrie
Wanting to expose your audience to jazz—but need songs that connect with your not-so-jazz audience?
Does your community like Hollywood movies, spy thrillers, and the American Songbook—but you also want to expose them to innovative music?
Is your space or series on the small size, and best for artists with minimal tech needs who can also offer educational outreach?
The aliens from Czarna Wolgastar may be just what your audience needs!
- Story-Driven Audience Connection
Every concert includes "narration" throughout, in which the ensembles takes the audience behind the compositions and arrangements so they can more deeply appreciate what they're listening to. This is the #1 thing audiences repeatedly say they like about performances; there is no wall between the audience and ensemble. - Familar songs, with a jazzy, balkan twist
While the group also performs original music, the trio presents everything from 007 and the Avengers to Mr. Sandman—familar material your audience probably knows, but has never heard interpreted by aliens who think these songs are supposed to be played strange meters heard in the Balkans with dreamy, surfy overtones! - Small footprint, minimal tech, and teaching artists
The performers are all professionally trained musicians who have worked with artists including The Who, Donna Summer, national Broadway tours, and contemporary modal ensemble, Labyrinth Ontario. The group has been self-managed for 20+ years, touring in the US and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico with a 22-pc ensemble, and offers multiple workshop/outreach options. - An audience of
11,000+ Spotify Listeners & 6,500+ Email Subscribers
The Orchestrotica's music, including that of the trio formation, are enjoyed by thousands of listeners every month. - Risk Free, Guaranteed
The group offers a 100% money-back guarantee on its performances: if we don't deliver an outstanding experience (from backstage to the concert), we'll return our entire performance fee, in full, no questions asked.
Audio (Live Samples)
| Name/Style | Play | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Vessko Stomp (Tev Stevig) - ruchinitsa | ↓ | |
| Black Sea Fantasy (Tev Stevig) - kalamatianos | ↓ | |
| All I Have To Do Is Dream - American Songbook | ↓ | |
| Fistful of Challah (Tev Stevig) - Spaghetti Western | ↓ | |
| Mister Sandman (Yolanda Scott, vocals) - American Songbook | ↓ |
So, how do you say it!?
In English, it sounds like "Charna Volgastar!"
Bio
Czarna Wolgastar is the intergalactic balkan surf jazz arm of Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica. Whenever the space ship Wolgastar 1 returns to Earth, three non-corporeal Wolgastarian entities embody three members of the Orchestrotica's quintet: Tev Stevig (guitar), Michael Harrist (bass), and Brian O'Neill (drums). Together, the trio – or sextet, depending on how you think of it – release a strange, other-worldly cocktail of Balkan beats and Milky-Way mischief crossed with the American songbook, Hollywood film soundtracks, and more. For your convenience, the trio members have translated an artistic note from the Wolgastarians to explain the concept further:
Artistic Note from the Wolgastarians
(approx. Wolgastarian → English Translation):
Czarna Wolgastar is world's only Wolgastarian surf rock trio in whole of Milky Way land. After visiting planet Earth land while touring big galaxy, their spaceboard, Wolgastar I, crashed on beach Albania close by. Stuck like a tape on earthland, the group now travels the Balkan sand and water ways, picking up surfing, fast picking, and music traditions of countries on journey, as they search for gasoline to take ship in the empty space black. Should you encounter big big ship or their music, under never no circumstances attempt to board Wolgastar I or record their music. Czarna Wolga is not toy, listened to on recorded media, or performance at home. Czarna Wolga never forgets!
(approx. Wolgastarian → Russian Translation)
Czarna Wolgastar - единственное в мире вольгастарское трио для серфинга во всей земле Млечного Пути. После посещения планетарной земли во время гастролей большой галактики их космический корабль, Волгастар I, разбился на пляже Албании рядом. Застрявшая как лента на землях, группа теперь путешествует по балканскому песку и водным путям, подбирает серфинг, быстрый сбор и музыкальные традиции стран в пути, поскольку они ищут бензин, чтобы взять корабль в пустое пространство черного цвета. Если вы столкнулись с большим большим кораблем или их музыкой, ни при каких обстоятельствах не пытайтесь дойти до Вольгастара I или записывать свою музыку. Czarna Wolga - это не игрушка, ее слушали на записанных носителях или выступление дома. Чарна Волга никогда не забывает!
Outreach/Workshop Photo
In Feb 2025, we had our "Uneven Waves: The Balkan Surf Jazz Sound" workshop at Mayo Arts in Portland, ME. Several members of a community band attended and played along!
Photo courtesy of Nathan Colby
