Menu
Program: Uneven Waves
Czarna Wolgastar presents "Uneven Waves," the sound of jazz aliens playing surf, Spaghetti Westerns, James Bond, and Hollywood hits over Balkan, Greek, and Turkish rhythms. 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 original intergalactic balkan surf jazz and American sounds from The Mandalorian to Moon River. Available on a planet near you.
Format
- (2) 45-minute halves or (1) 75-90 min. show
- On request, an alien intro video can be projected, customized to your town/community.
So, how do you say it!?
In English, it sounds like "Charna Volgastar!"
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 the sounds of Hollywood movies and the American Songbook—but you also want to expose them to innovative music?
Need a flexible artist for small spaces with minimal tech and unique 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. - Familiar 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—familiar 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 & 7,400+ Email Subscribers
The Orchestrotica's music, including that of the trio formation, are enjoyed by thousands of listeners every month.
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 | ↓ |
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
