Baklava Express

A musical journey across cultures and continents, where the sounds of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Eastern Europe meet in a vibrant blend of rhythm, melody, and improvisation.

What happens when an oud, violin, bass, and percussion come together to explore musical traditions that span centuries and continents? In the hands of Baklava Express, the result is exhilarating, inventive, and unlike anything you've heard before.

Led by award-winning composer and oud player Josh Kaye, this New York City-based quartet creates original music inspired by Ashkenazi and Mizrahi Jewish folk traditions and the rich musical heritage of the Mediterranean. Drawing on the distinct musical backgrounds of its members, Baklava Express brings these influences together in a sound that's both deeply rooted in tradition and refreshingly contemporary.

At the center of the music is the oud, the ancient, pear-shaped string instrument whose expressive voice has been central to Middle Eastern music for centuries. Kaye's intricate melodies intertwine with the fiery, lyrical violin of Daisy Castro, the inventive bass lines of James Robbins, and the dynamic percussion of Jeremy Smith. Together, they create music that can be hauntingly beautiful one moment and irresistibly rhythmic the next.

There's a wonderful sense of musical adventure in every performance. Melodies twist and turn, rhythms shift unexpectedly, and influences from different cultures meet and mingle. It's music that invites close listening while making it nearly impossible to sit still.

Baklava Express has brought its distinctive sound to festivals including the Brooklyn International Music Festival, the Greek Jewish Festival, and the Nyack Jazz Festival. Their debut album, Dávka, was released in 2023, followed by their newest recording, Sababa, in April 2026, further showcasing the group's imaginative compositions and remarkable musical chemistry.

As World Music Central put it, “This mystically equipped musical train is on a perfect roll.”

Join us at Caffè Lena for an evening with Baklava Express! Whether you're drawn to world music, jazz, traditional folk, or simply the thrill of discovering something new, this is a band that will take you somewhere unexpected. Come ready for beautiful melodies, infectious rhythms, and a musical journey without borders.

This show is brought to you with the generous support of the Northeastern NY Jewish Federation.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream tickets are $5, and 100% of live stream ticket sales benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two-week access to recent shows, and Caffè Lena's video archive.

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