The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Phyllis Camesano

The popular Buffalo-based gypsy jazz band Babik will debut its new full-length orchestral show in a concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 19, in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Buffalo State College Music Department, which is hosting the event.

Members of Babik spent much of the past year creating the show in collaboration with arranger Brent Havens. Havens has previously created orchestral programs for the music of Queen, Led Zeppelin, and the Doors. Babik’s members wanted to debut this new program in their hometown of Buffalo before taking it on the road to perform with other symphonic groups throughout the country.

“With the BPO and Babik performing together, this concert promises to be an infectious evening of upbeat music that will surely drive away the winter doldrums,” said Paul Ferington, who will conduct. Ferington is in his 25th year on the conducting staff of the BPO. He is also an adjunct professor of music at Buffalo State and the conductor and music director for the college’s new community philharmonia orchestra.

Formed in 2005, Babik has won seven Buffalo Music Awards and makes frequent appearances at concert halls and jazz festivals throughout the country. The group plays a special brand of jazz known as gypsy swing, which was created in the 1930s by the legendary two-fingered guitarist Django Reinhardt. The style blends American big band swing with the exotic sounds of Romany folk music. This year marks what would have been Reinhardt’s 100th birthday. Babik’s performance will feature several Reinhardt compositions in addition to popular American swing favorites like Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia,” all performed with that amazing sound that makes Babik unique. 

Under the direction of Bradley Fuster, associate professor and department chair, the Buffalo State Music Department has established strong ties with the BPO. The department recently received national accreditation from the prestigious National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Tickets for Babik are $30 and $35 and can be purchased online at www.buffalostate.edu/pac, by phone at (716) 878-3005, or in person at the Rockwell Hall Box Office. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and two hours before show time.