MAZAIKA

Friday March 12th

7.00pm

in St Helen's Church

(followed by Wine & Cheese)

TICKETS - £6.00

Anyone unfamiliar with the Russian classical accordion tradition will be stunned to learn the instrument ís true versatility; evoking the streets of Paris or a gypsy campfire, yes, but just as easily fooling the ear by pretending to be a chamber orchestra or an organ.

Mazaika was formed in 1997 and now travels the world, giving concerts and cabaret performances in the theatre, on cruise ships and at Music Festivals throughout U.K. and mainland Europe. They have given two sell out performances at the Purcell Room on London ís South Bank and appeared there again in December 2003 as part of the Cool Yule world music concert series. In October 2002 the Duo gave a highly successful concert tour in the U.S.A. and tours are planned for early 2004 and 2005. Other recent appearances have included London's St. Johns Smith Square and The Conway Hall, The Rheingau Music Festival in Germany, the Annual Accordion Festival of Chartres and the Festival of St. Agreve in France, the Festival of Sa'Nostra in Majorca, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival in Scotland and the Oxford Chamber Music Festival.

In 2004 they will tour Scotland, Ireland and the U.S. and will appear at the Edinburgh fringe festival and at festivals in Italy and Switzerland.

Violinist Sarah Harrison studied at the Guildhall School in London where she founded and led the Covent Garden String Quartet.
Her subsequent career has ranged from working with Django Bates, playing with storytellers in Marrakech, acting and playing in London theatre productions and with the Opera Circus, and even appearing with roving Mariachi bands in Mexico.

Accordionist and tenor Igor Outkin studied classical accordion and traditional singing in his native Russia. He performed extensively with his country ís top folk ensembles and at the Rozovsky Theatre in Moscow as a musician and actor.
He has appeared at MTV awards ceremonies, worked in film and television, and maintained a career as a classical accordion recitalist. His instrumental and vocal range encompasses classical, jazz, and pop.