Bohemian Nights

  Media Kit Bio Summary     LIKE US  : FACEBOOK

      Bio      History    Repertoire   Quotes   Debut CD 

                                       New Website http://www.bohemiannights.com.au/

     Bohemian Nights Audio   &  Bohemian Nights Videos   

                                                      More Videos (under photos on side)

    Ernie Gruner (violin, mandolin, vocals ) and Phil Carroll (accordion, vocals, ney ) play Gypsy, Klezmer, Turkish, French,  Italian, Russian, jazz and tango music which range from soulful to wild.  (see more below )

  PUBLIC GIGS COMING UP : see http://www.bohemiannights.com.au/

 

 

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Past 2018 events incuded (as well as Budapest Restaurant most months)

   Tuesday May 1st , June 5th, August 7th, Sept. 4th, Oct. 2nd

    First Tuesday each Month 7pm - 9pm  since 2009, except Cup week

   Budapest Restaurant and Palinka Bar
   273 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick   Ph: 9530 0849  Dinner Bookings

  September 21  WYREENA ARTS CENTRE

  October 28  Open Studio 5.30pm + guests - Nela Trifkovic & Rosa Voto, for Darebin Feast!

March 23/24 YACKANDANDAH FOLK FESTIVAL

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  PUBLIC GIGS in 2017 included :  

Tuesday Dec. 5th     Budapest Restaurant and Palinka Bar
 

Saturday Nov. 18th  - Bonegilla 70th anniversary concerts

SELECTED EARLIER 2017

Saturday June 17 - Klezmer Gypsy Dance : with The Boite

                             Northcote Uniting Church Hall, 7.30pm

April 13-17 National Folk Festival , Canberra

April 28  Wyreena Arts Centre, Croydon

Jan.26-29 Newstead Live Festival

SELECTED EARLIER IN 2016

Dec. 4th  Queen Victoria Market

Dec.8th   Kris Kringle Night Market, Northcote Town Hall

Dec 11th Tarrawarra Museum of Art Healesville 

Sept 15 - Czech and Slovak film festival

Sept 16 - 5 Church St, Bellingen, NSW

Sept 17 - private wedding near Coffs Harbor

Sept 18 - Lismore, Tatts Hotel workshop then concert

Nov 5 - Djerriwah Festival

Nov 6   - Open Studio for Darebin Feast

Sat. July 30  Mid-Winter Dance, Fundraiser for Wall of Hands - Indigenous Literacy : Info/Bookings 7pm, 49 Nicholson St, E.Brunswick

April 29+  Mt Beauty Festival

May 14        The Boite - our 20th anniversary

June 25      Klezmer Gypsy Dance

RECENT PAST

Sunday October 25,   6pm  Open Studio  Creperie & Bar, Northcote (Darebin Feast)

Friday October 23,  8.30pm  Palinka Bar & Kitchen   Fitzroy

Friday September 18,  8pm  Palinka Bar & Kitchen in Fitzroy

Saturday August 15  KLEZMER GYPSY DANCE

  Bohemian Nights , Klezmeritis, Audrey Fine

 West Brunswick Community Garden Dance,  7.30pm

  Bookings and More Information at http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/146694

Thursday July 2nd , Open Studio

Saturday June 27th,  Northcote Uniting Church Hall..KLEZMER GYPSY DANCE

Bookings and information

Wednesday May 20th, CERES Market, morning, free

Sunday April 5th, Victorian Arts Centre Lawn, 12 - 3, free

TASMANIA MICRO-TOUR 2015

           Hobart Tango Club, Jan 3, Tasmania

Mathers House, Jan 4, Tasmania

Cygnet Folk Festival , Jan 9 - 11, Tasmania         

           Bohemian Nights 7th NEW ZEALAND 2014 Tour Dates 

 

Band/Tour info: www.facebook.com/BohemianNightsMusic

Band/Tour enquiries: dowden.cathy@gmail.com or after 22 October: ph +64-22 013 2104

 

Thursday Oct 23rd  - Auckland     

The Vic Theatre, Devonport, with Nigel Gavin, 8pm

Tickets $20 www.thevic.co.nz or $25 at door.

 

Friday-Sun Oct 24-26th   - Wellington         

The 50th Wellington Folk Festival 

www.wellingtonfolkfestival.org.nz or www.facebook.com/Wellyfest

 

Monday Oct 27th  - Cook Strait and Picton                                 

Ferry 10am;   Free

Le Café, 12-14 London Quay, Picton. 4pm Free 

www.lecafepicton.co.nz

 

 Wednesday Oct 29th - Christchurch           

Christchurch Folk Club, Irish Society Hall, 29 Domain Terrace

 7.00 bar open 7.30pm concert

Tickets earlybird via www.dashtickets.co.nz/?/event/r0k3wzbxh $17 ($12 members)

At door $20 ($15 members)

www.folkmusic.org.nz   

 

Friday Oct 31st - Wanaka                 

Wanaka House Concert, 7.30pm

Tickets via www.dashtickets.co.nz/?/event/349pd8hry $20, earlybird $15.

Address details after ticket purchase

 

Saturday Nov 1st - Oamaru            

45 South Television, 4pm
17 Itchen St, Oamaru,
Concert being filmed for community TV.
Tickets earlybird $15 via http://www.dashtickets.co.nz/dashboard/event/view/5j67gp9z8
At door $20

 

Sunday Nov 2nd - Warrington

Warrington Surf Life Saving Club, 1 Esplanade

3pm with afternoon tea.

Tickets: $15, $35 family (2+2); $5 extra accompanied child. Student/Concession: $10, $25 family.

Advance tickets raise funds for the WLSC –  buy from a WLSC member to support a good cause AND have a great family afternoon.

www.facebook.com/WarringtonSLSC?fref=ts

 

Sunday Nov 2nd – Dunedin

New Edinburgh Folk Club, at Embers, 2 Manor Place

7.30pm Tickets only ar door: $15 ($12 NEFC members)

www.facebook.com/nefcnz or www.nefc.org.nz

Monday Nov 3rd - Dunedin

Ernie Klezmer workshop - Dunedin Fiddle Club

N.E. Valley community rooms (annex of NEV Primary schoool on North Rd)

members $10, non members $20 , enquiries 022 013 2104

 

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         2nd CD "Brothers in Borscht" available

          58 Minutes, 25 Tunes, 11 Countries, 8 Languages

    HOW TO BUY BOHEMIAN NIGHTS CDS   online :  Trad and Now or CD BABY

    or

    Melbourne Shops (sometimes out of stock, so ring first)

   Readings Carlton - 309 Lygon St, Carlton,  9347 6633

   Atelier Puglisi - 40 Church St, Hawthorn,  98539525 (my luthier)

   Rathdowne Records 230 High St, Northcote, 9482 4213

or

BUY CDs HERE by Direct Deposit or Cheque : email for details

Or Credit Card sales :email your phone number & a good time for us to call you for your credit card number ( Can take Mastercard/Visa/Bankcard )

or THRU PAYPAL see buy now below (and email to confirm )  

Deals available if also purchasing Klezmeritis and Yalla! CDs

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        Some HISTORY, BIOS,  & TOUR NOTES BELOW                     

  Bio-notes

Ernie Gruner violin, mandolin, vocals ) and Phil Carroll (accordion, vocals, ney ) play Gypsy, Klezmer, Turkish, French, Italian, Russian, jazz and tango music which range from soulful to wild. They’ve both studied overseas, and played and recorded together in larger bands (Klezmeritis, Yalla!, Flirting Mazurkas).

They’ve studied overseas in Montreal, Istanbul, New York, Cracow and Budapest, and recorded 2 CDs.

Australian concerts include several National Folk Festivals, the National Multicultural Festival, Fairbridge Festivals, Cygnet Festivals, The Boite. Touring includes regional Victoria, several West Australia tours. Phil and Ernie’s six New Zealand tours have included the Wellington & Dunedin Folk Festivals and the Christchurch Jazz Festival, Spiegeltent. Bohemian Nights has played monthly at the Budapest Restaurant for six years.

Ernie specializes in Jewish music and Phil specializes in Middle-Eastern music. They have worked together with theatre and dance events for Russian, Armenian, Jewish, Turkish, French and Italian and other productions and communities, as well as parties and weddings since 1999.

Bohemian Nights has released two CDs “Bohemian Nights” 2005, and “Brothers in Borscht” 2010.

Ernie and Phil are experienced at leading music workshops (Klezmer, Middle-eastern, E.European Jewish wordless singing, Fiddle, Improvising, etc) .

They are  available as roving musicians, or for parades. Bohemian Nights has played for dances : Klezmer/Gypsy, Tango/Milonga, Jazz/Latin, Australian Bush.

BOHEMIAN NIGHTS are as experienced at concerts as at the European artform of serenading at tables and taking requests as well as creating atmosphere in a street festival.
The duo was originally named Gypsy Nights after a famous duo that entertained in the restaurants and cafes of Budapest in the 1930s.

Performance History  ps previously called  Gypsy Nights

                                                                      2014 dates incude

                   Tuesday February 25th &  Wednesday March 19th

                            Open Studio  Creperie and Bar, 8.15pm, $7/$5, tickets at door. 204 High St, Northcote

                    March 21 - 23   Yackandandah Folk Festival

                 March  26         Queen Vic. Night Market , 6 - 10, Peel St Stage

     April 25 - 27     Fairbridge Festival ( W.A.)

     April 30  - Perth - House concert  SOLD OUT

     May 1st - Fremantle - House concert : email ernie@erniegruner.com for bookings

     May 3rd - Albany - Vancover St Festival

    June 22 ,        All Saint's Church concert , Sunday 4pm,  2A Chapel St, E.St Kilda opposite Astor Theatre

    June 28         Klezmer Gypsy DANCE, Northcote  ONLINE BOOKINGS

                         with The Boite, Audrey Fine (dance-caller), Ron Hansen (Double bass)

      July 16               Open Studio  Creperie and Bar, 8.15pm, tickets at door. 204 High St, Northcote

    August 20th  CERES Market , 9.30am - 12.30pm

  September  7th  Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt near Wave Sculpture  12-3

      Sunday October 5th   Montsalvat Open Day,  10am - 12pm

     Sunday October 5th    Glen Eira Spring Music series, 3 - 5pm, McKinnon Reserve

      Thursday October 9th    Open Studio  / Darebin Music Feast                                                                    

     Creperie and Bar, 8.30pm, tix $8 at door. 204 High St, Northcote

2013 dates incude

Feb 3 SoulFood State Library

Jan 26  Globe to Globe festival 

Feb 14th  Ivanhoe Library for Valentine's Day

     Sunday March 3rd  Sydney Rd Street Party       (trio w Ron Hansen ) 515pm free Community Stage cnr Michael St & Sydney Rd

       Sunday March 24th  Mediterranean Fiesta. 3pm, free, Centreway, Keilor

           March 31+   National Folk Festival, Canberra

      Saturday May 11 Gypsy/Klezmer dance for Universal Grooves in Torquay with Audrey Fine

          Wednesday September 18th : Open Studio Bar for Darebin Music Feast

            8pm $8/$6, tickets at door. 204 High St, Northcote

            Friday September 20th : Concert at Wyreena Arts Centre, Croydon,

           Supper provided. Information & Bookings 9294 5590

           Sunday September 29th : Ferdydurke, 5 -7pm,  Level 1&2, 31 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne. 

           I Left my Heart in Europe with Pierogi Pierogi pop up kitchen,

          Tuesday October 1st    
           First Tuesday each Month  7.30pm - 9.30pm  since 2009

          Budapest Restaurant and Palinka Bar  273 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick 

           Wednesday October 16th  : City of Darebin Ride to Work event, 7am- 9am , Northcote

        Wednesday December 18th    Open Studio  Creperie and Bar     8.30pm $7/$5, tickets at door. 204 High St, Northcote

                                       2012 dates include

Budapest Restaurant..once a month

Nov 23rd Coburg Night market

November Private soiree

Sunday April 1st  Soul Food
Sunday Mar 25th Mediterranean Fiesta, E.Keilor

     Sunday January 1st Sofitel 35  Lunch 12-3 & once or twice a month

     Thursday Jan 5th  North Hobart Italian Club, Federal st, eve, Tango Night

       Cygnet Folk Festival, Tasmania - Jan 6-8

     Sat/Sun Mar 3/4   Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, roving at Southgate, 6-10

2011 Dates include

Thursday October 13, City Library Acoustica series 6-7pm

and lots more to be filled in....

2010 Dates included the following :

Sat Oct 16

 CD LAUNCH at The Boite World Music Cafe

1 Mark St, Nth Fitzroy 8pm

Tickets at door $18 / $12, or Bookings: 9417 1983 

Coffee, cakes, mulled wine

MC Jeannie Marsh           POSTER

Tue Nov 2
  First Tuesday each Month  7.30pm - 9.30pm  since 2009

Budapest Restaurant and Palinka Bar
273 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick 

Ph: 9530 0849  Dinner Bookings

Music is free.

Join us for a slivovitz, czech beer, coffee, dessert or dinner ?

Fri Nov 5    Eltham World Harmonies 8pm

St Margarets Hall , Pitt St, Eltham, Melways 21 J7

                 Adults $12, concession$10, children free..                               Delicious cakes and refreshments available

  NEW ZEALAND TOUR # 6    April 24 - May 12                           

April 18  12-3        Sofitel Restaurant No35  Brunch bookings 9653 7744

April 2-5    National Folk Festival , Canberra

Fri Jan 29  GEELONG Night Market

Feb 28  4.15pm Sydney Road Street Party.Community Stage (Concerts)

Feb 28  2.30pm   La Dolce Italia Festival, Lygon St Carlton  (Roving)

2009 Dec. 15th   Bar Lourinha   Long Table Dinner               

2009 Dec. 18th  A Bohemian style Dinner and Music    St Anns Restaurant,

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 2008  Dates included the following --- then Phil moved to Istanbul

   Yackandandah Folk Festival

       The Boite, North Fitzroy

          Wyreena Arts Cafe, Croydon

        Kulcha, Fremantle (W.A.)

     Harboursound Festival , Albany (W.A.)

   2007    5th NZ tour including Christchurch Arts Festival

   2005/6 4th NZ tour : Whare Flat festival & 2 concerts

   2005   CD launches at The Boite & fortyfivedownstairs

   2005    Russian Soup - 2 week season for Fringe Festival     

   2005    3rd New Zealand tour (3+ weeks, 15 concerts)

2004-5  45 Downstairs concerts

2001-4  Wyreena Arts Centre cafe concerts

2004     Port Fairy Literary Festival. National Folk Festival

2004      National Multicultural Festival
2002 New Zealand tour (3 week, 12 concerts) including Christchurch Jazz Festival & Wellington Folk Festival
2001 Weekly performances at Prahran Vodka Bar – “Borsch, Vodka and Tears”
Selected performances include a one year weekly residency at The Block Arcade, The Regent, RACV Club, Titanic Theatre Restaurant, Melbourne Food and Wine Festivals, Australian Short Story Awards, Boorondara Federation Dinner, Bundoora Art Gallery opening. Theatre Collaborations : Theatro Chameleon (Blue Absence), Mt Waverley Theatre (Emma Celebrazione)
Many corporate functions, weddings, parties, shopping centres, as well as concerts and festivals.

Repertoire

Large selection from Dark Eyes to La Vie En Rose and from Ain’t Misbehavin’ to Habanera.
Styles include Gypsy, Jazz, Classical, Continental, Latin, Russian, French, Italian, Jewish, Arabic.
Most of the material can be performed roving without sheet music but for fixed performances Gypsy Nights has a large library of sheet music and can often organise special music for weddings, anniversaries or themed events.

Dress and Style

Depending on the event Gypsy Nights dresses and acts for the occasion. Although sometimes seen in black and white formal attire in background mode in restaurants or private functions, they often wear colorful costumes & are more lively and can interact with audiences for parties, festivals or shopping centres and promotions.

Other Options

Bohemian Nights can also play for functions with Phil playing keyboards or piano.

PA is available and depending on the event and if dancing is preferred a double bass and drums, guitar, vocalist etc may be added.

SOLO:Both Phil and Ernie are in demand as solo roving musicians, Phil also as a cocktail pianist and both work with several jazz, gypsy, folk or classical ensembles.

Phil and Ernie play together in 3 larger bands:

Klezmeritis led by Ernie specialises in infectious East European Jewish music (CD available)

   Yalla! led by Phil specialises in Arabic & Turkish music and dance.    (CD vailable)

Flirting Mazurkas with singer/guitarist Jennifer Hawley plays jazz & European café music.

BOHEMIAN NIGHTS CD : Recorded June  2005

 Please email for ordering information.  or call 03.9386.7108

Cheque or credit card accepted.    CD Reviews below.

CD Melbourne Shop sales : (ring 1st to see if in stock)

Atelier Puglisi - 40 Church St, Hawthorn,  98539525 (my luthier)

Readings Carlton - 309 Lygon St, Carlton,  9347 6633

Readings Hawthorn - 701 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, 9819 1917

Sunflower Bookshop - 434 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick 9523 6405

Discurio, 113 Hardware St, City 96001488

Featured CD : Radio National Life Matters

Appears on Radio PBS World Music Compilation

                                                        Web sales : Trad and Now or CD BABY

Phil Carroll : accordion, vocals, ney, duduk

Ernie Gruner : violin, mandolin, minor vocals

  Total Playing Time : around 70 minutes

  Recorded mostly live.   All tunes arranged Bohemian Nights.

CD  TRACKS

1. Yismechu (Trad) - Klezmer  2’40”

2. Dark Eyes - (Trad/lyrics  E. Grebenka) - Russian Gypsy  4’50”

3. Sous la Ciel de Paris (J. Drejac) - French Waltz  1’43”

4. La Foule (C. Dumont) - French Waltz 1’19”

5. Padam Padam (N. Glanzberg / lyrics H. Contet )  - French Waltz 1’32”

Total medley time: 4’34”

6. Swing 42  (D. Reinhardt) - Gypsy Swing  2’57”

7. Miserlou featuring Ney (Trad/Lyrics N. Roubanis) – Greek  4’11”

8. Mustafa (Trad)  - Middle-Eastern  2’05”

Total medley time: 6’16”

9. Moldavian Hora - Klezmer  1’36”

10. Freylach #5   - Klezmer  2’06”

Total medley time: 3’42”

11. Tu Vuo Fa L’Americano (R. Carosone) - Italian Jazz  3’19”

12. Ernesto’s Serenade (E. Gruner)

13. Bubak & Hungaricus (Trad) - Hungarian Gypsy

Total medley time: 2’36”

14. El Motivo (J. C. Cobain / lyrics – P. Contursi) - Argentinian Tango  3’35”

15. Abi Gezunt (A. Elstein/Lyrics M.Picon/English lyrics unknown) - Yiddish Jazz  2’29”

16. Hassaperserviko in A (Trad) - Greek  2’29”

17. Neapolitan Tarantella (Trad) - Italian  56”

18. Comme Facetta Mametta (S. Gamardella ) - Italian  44”

19. Funicula Funiculi (P. Turco & L. Denza) - Italian  1’02”

Total medley time: 2’42”

20. Yuksek Yuksek  featuring Duduk (Trad) - Turkish  4’11”

21. Jealousy (J. Gade) - Tango  2’46”

22. Give Me Lies ( P. Carroll, secret lyrics D. Wayman ) - Milonga  1’56”

Total medley time: 4’42”

23. Istanbul  (N. Simon / Lyrics J. Kennedy) - Jazz  3’18”

24. Gloomy Sunday (R. Seress) - Hungarian  1’40”

25. Bessarabian Hora (Trad) - Klezmer  2’05”

26. Bessarabian Sirba  (Trad)  - Klezmer  1’31”

Total medley time: 5’16”

27. Maria’s Kalamatianos (Trad) - Greek  1’25”

28. Turkish Potbori  (Trad) - Turkish  1’52”

Total medley time: 3’17”

29. Katyusha ( M.Blanter / Lyrics M. Issakowski) - Russian  3’58”

30. Moscow Nights (V. Solovjov-Sedoj, lyrics M. Matusovskij) - Russian  42”

Total medley time: 4’40”

31. Music Deli Freylach - Klezmer  2’27

Quotes

"Accordion Fiddle Fire" - Fairbridge Festival, 2014

"Your music and your general professionalism played a big part in creating the perfect party atmosphere, fun for all concerned. Everyone had a great time, you were both so easy to deal with and the breadth of your repertoire is truly amazing!"  

Alison Richards - Birthday Party, May 2011

"You guys were, as always, great entertainment. You are so much more than a couple of musicians - you have such exuberance and the music you play is evocative of all sorts of memories, travels, times past etc. We all loved your playing - thankyou. " April 2009

-  60th birthday client who saw us again at Budapest Restaurant

a fantastic concert in Welly last night. French, Turkish, Gypsy, Klezmer ...... Loads of enthusiasm, brilliant musicality.Go see. slan Sue Ikin (director Wellington Folk Festival) July 2007

Your performance added immeasurably to the event - it put everyone in a fantastic party mood. Mary Lou Jelbart - fortyfivedownstairs 2005

It was a fantastic concert, what a way to start the series, people are still raving about it all over town.

Anna Shaw WANAKA New Zealand Tour  July 2005

 

It was a pleasure to see you again and enjoy your fabulous concert; we had a lot of positive feedback

Mathilda Schorer PUKEHOE New Zealand Tour July 2005

 

Thank you so so much for the wonderful music the other night. It was perfect for the night and I am glad that I put off my party that extra month so that you guys would be back to play.

A lot of people commented on how fantastic the music and the dancing was, it lifted everything in a swirl of fabulous atmosphere.

Bagryana Popov July 2005

"dazzled, and entertained- these guys knew how to do the biz, with Klezmer, jazz, gypsy, tango, and a bit of classical thrown into the mix."  -Wellington NZ folk festival 2003

"The sensitive an affecting musical accompaniment by Ernie Gruner and Phillip Carroll was exemplary... one of the best productions I saw in 2002."

Russian Soup : Theatre based on Chekov, Gogol, Dostoevsky short stories with traditional and original music by Gypsy Nights, actors : Josef Sherman, Greg Ulfan, director: John Bolton; review by Malcolm Robertson

"Gypsy Nights got the audience clapping along with their accordion and fiddle before the evening began"
The Age review of Theatre Cameleon 2001

"Gypsy Nights treated the audience to a dazzling display of Eastern European and Middle-Eastern music...Ernie's virtuoso violin thrilled the audience, and its expressive lyricism - together with Phil's lively and complex accordion - brought to life the cafe scene of Budapest and Paris in the 1930's"

"Played with sensitivity and humor, the music generated an energy that could only be expressed through dancing"
Wyreena Arts Centre 2002

"Awesome performance" Greymouth NZ

"Bloody great night" Wellington Folk Club NZ

"Great to see people so passionately involved in keeping alive such colorful musical traditions....their music speaks to everyone" Penguin Club NZ

CD REVIEWs

BOHEMIAN NIGHTS CD Review on Tony Thomas' show "Collectibles"
Radio 3MBS - written by Lindsay Coker
Transcript from November 15th 2005 show.

"Two of Melbourne’s, and Australia’s leading exponents of klezmer, folk, jazz, and Eastern European Jewish music are Ernie Gruner & Phil Carroll. Ernie is well known to all lovers of this music, while Phil has become special to all who appreciate the sounds of Arabic and Turkish music and culture.
Now, they have teamed up for their first CD, Bohemian Nights. To say they can get the feet of the dead tapping is putting it mildly, and to say they bring a slice of music and life from beyond these shores is nothing less than fact – even though they were born here. Their cultural heritage glows, and we are all the richer for it. Ernie is a violinist of extraordinary talent; Phil plays the accordion and sings with stylishness and heart.
Enough talk, let’s hear them. Here’s a selection from their new album, Bohemian Nights.
Play item 3

Ernie Gruner on Violin, mandolin and some vocals, Phil Carroll, playing accordion, ney, duduk, and singing, with some of the tracks on their new CD, Bohemian Nights.
They have grouped most of the tracks into ‘bohemian’ areas: France, Italy, Hungary, etc., and thrown in a bit of jazz for good measure. We heard the French, Greek, and Italian medleys, as well as Swing 42.
This lighthearted, culturally exciting disc is available from Readings, price around $25. BN 001."

Review by Jan Forbes for indie-cds.com 2005

This is lively passionate gypsy music to dance away your troubles by; played on abrasive fiddle and wheezy piano accordion. Bohemian Nights is reminiscent of Hungarian goulash, red wine, French bread, Gitanes cigarettes and sensuous painted ladies from the thirties. It is recorded mostly live; thirty-one full-blooded numbers of familiar old Bohemian songs and animated dance tunes, sung and played by two masters of the trade, Ernie Gruner and Phil Carroll, who as a duo call themselves Bohemian Nights. It goes on for seventy minutes. What a find for a theme party!

Imagine the smoke haze of a workers' café in Paris between the wars; cares forgotten as men with slicked back hair whirl shady ladies around a dimly lit dance floor to tangos and waltzes. The frenzy of swivelling hips and slinky shoulders, the highs and lows of passion; the wild and exotic; a little yearning, a little joy, a little laughter; the theatrical and sensual; the dark and melancholy; the nostalgia of familiar old tunes that include well-known standards such as Dark Eyes, Padam Padam, Funiculi Funicula, Jealousy, Istanbul and Moscow Nights; tunes that might once have been recorded on seventy-eights or for old black and white movies. While most other titles are foreign to me the names don't matter because all the tunes sound familiar and are in the same gypsy style. Still, they represent a wide ranging repertoire from many different cultures: French, Italian, Russian, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Argentinian and Jewish, as befits the eclectic gypsies, or Bohemians. Highlights include: several atmospheric medleys representing different cultural styles; in particular the Russian medley that starts with Katyusha and as the momentum picks up blends into Moscow nights; and Yuksek, Yuksek, a haunting instrumental featuring the Duduk, a traditional Armenian flute played by Phil Carroll.

Review in ARTSTREAMS Magazine October/November 2005

Melbourne has a reputation for being a multicultural city. Artistically it would be considerably less multi-cultural without the presence of Phil Carroll and Ernie Gruner. When not playing as Bohemian Nights, they feature in Klezmeritis, Yalla and Flirting Mazurkas.    On this outing they divide almost 70 minutes into 30 tracks that cover klezmer, Russian and Hungarian Gypsy, French, Greek, Middle Eastern, Italian and Turkish delights. They even head off to The Argentine for a spot of tango.

Still not content, they do a credible version of Django Reinhardt's Swing 42 with Carroll standing in for Rheinhardt's guitar on accordion. With such a mix, sophisticated shifts from track to tradck are hard to organise. Hence Carroll quickly swaps his accordion for a ney and they move into Miserlou, a hauntingly beautiful Greek melody before darting back to the Middle East for a spirited rendition of Mustapha.

The two klezmer pieces that follow are very much home turf for Gruner whose violin playing skills really shine. Not that he's struggling on the other material. The pair then flits over the Mediterranean for Tu Vuo fa l'Americano and a bit of Italian jazz.

At this point I threw away the map and just listened to the music. After a not so convincing trip to Italy, they offer Yuksek Yuksek from Turkey. As in Miserlou they are able to weave some magic into music that is arguably their real forte.

Bohemian Nights offers a lot of music. Seventy minutes is a long time to sit and listen to multi cultural music. On the other hand if you have company and choose to get up and dance this set wil keep you going all night.

    NEW ZEALAND TOUR # 6    April 24 - May 12  2010

 - More details via Ruth Birnie at MusicHaven

- Rental Car : AboutNZ Rentals

  April

 24   Warrington -  Memorial Hall , 7.30pm $15  (conc. $10, families $25).  Info Ph.021 137 2129

 25   Dunedin  - New Edinburgh Folk Club  , St Martin's Hall, Northumberland St. North East Valley, $15 ($10 members), 7 30pm          

 28  Hokitika - Crooked Mile Cinema, 36 Revell St, Hokitika. 7.30pm

 29  Westport - Senior Citizens Hall, Henley St, Westport 7.30pm

 30  Nelson  - Fairfield House  48 Van Diemen Street Nelson. 8pm. $15    Bookings Ph.5483640    

 May

 2  Christchurch - Christchurch Folk Club, 8pm, The Dux De Lux , cnr. Hereford and Montreal St. Ph. 960 8017      

 3   Picton -  Le Cafe -  7.30pm   

 4  Ferry Music 1.10pm

 4   Wellington - Katipo Café, 76 Willis Street, $20, 8pm

 5    Wellington - House Concert, MusicHaven, 69 Rimu Road, Raumati Beach 8pm Ph.04 905 3838

 7   Palmerston North - Palmerston North Folk Club,  Theosophical Hall, 304 Church Street. 7.30pm. $15/12

 9   Auckland -  Devonport Folk Club , The Bunker,Mt Victoria, Devonport . 8pm.Tickets Ph. 09 445 2227  . $20

 11 Hawkes Bay -  Pukehou, Christ Church, 7.30pm

 5th NEW ZEALAND TOUR July 27 - Aug 12   2007

see our NZ agent Flying Piglets for details

          Friday 27 July  8pm, Palmerston North Folk Club,

Church St Palmerston North. Door sales

Saturday 28 July 8pm Taranaki  Lepperton Bowling Club,

Manutahi St Lepperton, Info  06 752 0167

Sunday 29 July 8pm  Auckland. Devonport folk club,

The Bunker, Mt Victoria, Tickets 09 445 2227

Tuesday 31 July 8pm Wanganui   The Function Room, Stellar, 2 Victoria Ave, Door sales. info@flyingpiglets.co.nz

Wednesday 1 August RADIO: on "Upbeat", Radio NZ Concert, 1.10pm. Hear Bohemian Nights interviewed

Wednesday 1 August: Wellington 7.30pm, 10 Fifeshire Ave (Irish Society Rooms) off Cambridge Tce, + Klezmer Rebs www.klezmer.co.nz/News.htm  Info David Weinstein 04 233 0003; 021 077 6069. Door sales.  

Thursday 2 August Interislander Ferry concert,  12.30pm, Wellington to Picton.

Friday 3 August, Greymouth 8pm Regent Theatre,

Mackay/Herbert Sts,. Door sales. Info 03 768 0920

Sunday 5 August , Dunedin. 7.30pm New Edinburgh Folk Club, Victoria Hotel, St Andrews StInfo 021 066 4070

Monday 6 August 7pm, Warrington. Warrington Memorial Hall, Door sales. Info Peter 021 137 2129

Tuesday 7 August Oamaru  8pm  The Penguin Club,.

Door sales. www.thepenguinclub.co.nz

Wednesday 8 August Christchurch Arts Festival, 7pm TelstraClear Club, Cathedral Square. Booking  www.ticketek.co.nz or 03 377 8899. Door sales 1 hour before performance.

Thursday 9 August 7.30pm. Blenheim. The Boathouse, Info  03 578  3324

Friday 10 August 8pm Nelson. Fairfield House, Trafalgar St, Door sales

Sunday 12 August, Christchurch 12.10pm Lunchtime performance for Christchurch Arts Festival, TelstraClear Club, Cathedral Square. Booking www.ticketek.co.nz  or 03 377 8899. Door sales 1 hour before performance.

 

2007  Victorian Country Regional Tour - Details & Booking numbers

Organised by Just Shows To Go , funded by Arts Victoria

 with guest Eugene Belenko - double bass & vocals (see photo -> )

Feb 9  - YARRAM Regent Theatre,  8pm Yarram Newsagency, h.51825083

Feb 10 - ORBOST Exhibition Centre. 8pm venue   Ph.5154 2634

Feb 11 - SWIFTS CREEK Hall. 7:30pm Great Alpine Gallery,Ph.51594445

Feb 16 HORSHAM, WesleyPerf.ArtsCentre, 8pmChisholm HiFi,Ph.538243 4343

Feb 17 STAWELL, Masonic Lodge, Skene St. 8pm Stawell LibraryPh.5358 1274

Feb 18 - MARYBOROUGH HighlandSociety  7:30pmTrebleJewellers,Ph.5461 2052

Feb 23 - WANGARATTA, The Vine Hotel, Nth  8pm  Dislocation Ph.51724594

Feb 24 - RUFFY Public Hall, 8pm. Ph. Glen 5790 4318

Feb 25 - WODONGA Arts Space 5pm  venue Ph. (02)6022 9600

March 2 - MARYSVILLE Country Club 8pm  M'ville Auto Ph.5963 3214

March 3 - MIRBOO NTH. ARTSpit, Grandridge Brewery, 8pm  Ph.56682701

March 4 - TYERS Hall, 7:30pm  Latrobe PAC Box Office Ph.5176 3559

  NZ 2005 TOUR ITINERARY

  26 June 8pm     Devonport Folk Club, Auckland. SOLD OUT

  27 June 10am   Klezmer school show, Michael Park Steiner (Ernie Gruner)

  28 June                    Radio interview - Upbeat -National concert FM program
  29 June 8pm     Hamilton Folk Club. Door charge $12, $8 club members.

                           Back bar, Biddy Mulligans, Victoria St Hamilton
  30 June 7.30pm   Christ Church, Pukehou, Hawkes Bay, Info: 06 874 9756
  1 July  8pm    Theosophical Hall, Church St, Palmerston North Folk Club.

                                                       Door sales $20, club members $15, 15 and under free.

   2 July 8pm  The Upstairs Room, near Waitara, Taranaki. FLYING PIGLETS
  3 July 8pm   Expressions, Upper Hutt. Tickets 04 527 2168 ARTS CENTRE
  5 July Klezmer workshop, Wellington (Ernie Gruner). Info.: Workshop

  6 July                  National Television morning show interview and performances
  8 July           The Boathouse Theatre, Blenheim. Info: 03 578 3324
  9 July 9pm     The Mussel Inn, Onekaka, Golden Bay. Info 03 525 9241
  10 July 8pm    Fairfield House, Trafalgar St South, Nelson. Door charge $15. 

  12 July 8pm     Regent Theatre, Arts Council, Greymouth,
  14 July 8.30pm  The Harbour Light, Lyttelton. Door charge $15. Info 03 328 8615
  16 July             House concert, Wanaka. Info: 03 443 7746
  17 July 7.30pm  Tull Cafe, Bath St, Dunedin, for New Edinburgh Folk Club.

                         Door charge $10, $6 club members

 Bohemian Nights CD LAUNCHs 2005

 1. Saturday October 22nd , THE BOITE

with guests Jen Hawley, Flirting Mazurkas & more

2. Wednesday November 30th, fortyfivedownstairs

"La La La"  (French a capella - Chorale Francaise de Melbourne)

MC Joseph Sherman (Russian Soup) & Tango Dancers

Thankyou for coming ! Thankyou for dancing  !

4TH  NEW ZEALAND TOUR

Whare Flat Festival, NZ : Dec.30 2005 – Jan 3rd 2006

Thursday Jan. 5th     Warrington Memorial Hall 7.30pm

Friday Jan.6th    Hutton Theatre, Dunedin 8.00pm

2003 New Zealand Tour (Flying Piglets)

Oct 24 - Nov 9

Includes Welllington Folk Festival,  Sola Cafe Thames, Christ Church Pukehou Hawkes Bay

Upstairs Room Taranaki, Mussel Inn Takaka, Harbour Light Theatre, Bread Bagel cafe Wellington

2002 New Zealand Tour (Flying Piglets)

June 30 - July 18

Devonport Folk Club Auckland, Upstairs Room Taranaki, Bread Bagel Cafe Welly, Wellington Folk Centre

Ferry, Penguin club Omaru, Christchurch Hebrew Congregation, Harbour Light Theatre (for ChCh jazz festival)

Flamenco studio Dunedin, Easy way cafe Geraldine, DP1 Cafe Greymouth

   previous name & logo