The NYU World Music Ensemble

The NYU World Music Ensemble explores the fusion of various World folk music originating from the Balkans, Africa, and South East Asia with jazz improvisation and aesthetics. The group particularly focuses on Balkan styles and uses traditional, contemporary, and original pieces to gain an understanding of odd meters and melodic and harmonic conventions.

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Brad Shepik

Guitarist/composer Brad Shepik has recorded 9 albums as a leader and performed with Paul Motian’s Electric Bebop Band, Dave Douglas’ Tiny Bell Trio, Bob Brookmeyer, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Joey Baron, Pachora, Matt Darriau’s Paradox Trio, Combo Nuvo, Kiran Ahluwalia, George Schuller, Jamie Baum, Simon Shaheen, Yuri Yunakov’s Bulgarian Wedding Band, Chandrika Tandon’s Shivoham, Gnawa of Hope, Jay Clayton, Ben Holmes’ Naked Lore and Arthur Kell among others. He appears on more than 70 recordings and has been awarded commissions and grants from the Seattle Arts Commission, Chamber Music America, NYFA, and the Puffin Foundation. His latest recording is Believers (Orenda 2020) with percussionist John Hadfield and bassist Sam Minaie. In 2021 he premiered Human Activity – Code Red a concert length suite on the subject of climate change which will be released in 2023.