Baklava Express

TEMPO Lounge
Doors 7 PM | Show at 7:30 PM

An evening of high-energy original compositions that blend ancient and modern instruments with influences from the Mediterranean and Arab world. The music of Brooklyn-based Baklava Express suggests the soundtrack of an open-air market. Its rhythms and melodic lines may evoke Turkish, Greek, or Armenian traditions, then turn on a dime to reference Arab, Mizrahi, and Sephardi folk music, with discreet nods to jazz, flamenco, or rock.

ABOUT THE BAND

Baklava Express is a New York City-based cross-cultural ensemble led by award-winning composer and oud player Josh Kaye. The group performs original compositions rooted in a rich tapestry of traditions, drawing inspiration from the liturgical music of Ashkenazi and Mizrahi communities, Ottoman classical music, and the folk traditions of the wider Mediterranean.

Through the seamless fusion of these traditions, Baklava Express crafts a sound that feels both timeless and contemporary, building musical bridges and connecting listeners from diverse backgrounds.

Without a single word spoken, Baklava Express invites listeners into a world where music itself is the common language. Each piece is an invitation to find your own story and emotion within the sound. Audiences from all walks of life often discover that the music feels like a reflection of “home,” no matter where that home may be.

In this way, Baklava Express creates a shared space of connection, memory, and cultural harmony through instrumental music.

Members include:
- Josh Kaye – oud/composition
- Daisy Castro – violin
- Ramiro Marziani – guitar
- Jeremy Smith – percussion

TICKETS
- $20 community / $25 standard / $35 supporter
- Free for kids 12 and under

All tickets are general admission. Seating is available at all TEMPO events. Choose the ticket that feels right for you. Every option supports TEMPO in its own way, and we’re grateful to have you with us.

This event is in the TEMPO Lounge. Please enter through the entrance on Hunter St.