Pleasing students both visually and musically, International Students and Scholar Services kicks off International Education Week on Monday, Nov. 12 with a movie portraying Gypsy culture and with a free concert in the Student Union Theater.
Beginning at 8 p.m., the concert will feature the locally popular music group from Buffalo, Babik. The group has gained such acclaim as winning Best Jazz Band in Buffalo at the Artvoice awards and in Buffalo Spree magazine for the past two years.
The group consists of lead guitarist Stuart Fuchs, violinist Geoffrey Fitzhugh Perry, rhythm guitarist Joshua Asad and Kevin O'Brien on upright bass. Babik successfully blends American big band swing with European Gypsy folk songs to create a style that is exciting and unique.
"Passion is what has kept us going for this long and will hopefully keep us going a lot longer," said Asad, who stated that Babik plays this style of music because it is the most passionate music he has ever heard.
"It burns like a Gypsy fire," said Asad.
Asad took time to talk to The Spectrum about the group's style, the upcoming concert and the film scheduled to play Monday night.
According to Asad, the group is named after Babik Reinhardt, the son of Django Reinhardt, the inventor of Gypsy jazz.
Asad added that Reinhardt invented the style of music in Europe in 1934 and that the group takes what they have learned from Reinhardt and attempts to bring it to the next level by incorporating aspects of modern music.
"Don't be surprised if you hear us throw in a Led Zeppelin quote or a power chord here or there," Asad said when talking about modernizing the already unique style of music.
The group formed around three years ago, releasing their debut album last December, and it has been one of the top-selling CDs for New World Records since.
Babik is preparing to return to the studio and hopes to release their next album by April '08.
"If it's later than April, I don't care. I just want it to be great," said Asad.
The style of music is so distinct that in order to get the right guitar sounds to play effective Gypsy jazz, specially made acoustic guitars are required.
"These guitars are louder than any other acoustic guitar I've ever heard," said Asad when asked about the differences between their guitars and the traditional acoustic guitar.
Babik is excited to play their first show on the North Campus, having already played on the South Campus for Music is Art. Asad said that the group was also supposed to play the rained-out event "UB on the Green."
Gypsy Caravan, the film that will be showed at the event, is well-respected by the band.
"(The film) goes deep into the Gypsy culture," said Asad, who believes the film will invite more people to understand their style.
Asad hopes that the interesting music throughout the film will get people "psyched up to come see the group's performance."
Gypsy Caravan starts at 5:30 p.m., and Babik goes on at 8 p.m.
For more information on the event, contact International Students and Scholar Services or go to babikjazz.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
