PUTNEY, Vt. – Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Baklava Express on Friday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m., at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney.
Brooklyn-based Baklava Express creates vibrant, high-energy music that evokes the atmosphere of an open-air Mediterranean market. Blending ancient and modern instruments, the ensemble performs original compositions rooted in Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Arab, Mizrahi, and Sephardi musical traditions, while naturally weaving in touches of jazz, flamenco, rock, and Ottoman classical music.
Led by oud player and composer Josh Kaye, the group crafts music that feels both timeless and contemporary. Their self-produced sophomore album, “Sabába,” released this spring, reflects a band that has fully grown into its collaborative sound – joyful, fluid, improvisational, and deeply lived-in.
“For ‘Dávka,’ our first album, released in 2023, we went into the studio after having only played a few gigs as a group,” says Kaye. “But for this recording, everyone’s been in the band for at least three years, so we’re playing music that we’ve performed hundreds of times. It not only sounds tighter, but we had much more freedom to improvise and make arrangements on the fly.”
While deeply informed by ancient musical traditions, Baklava Express is not a traditional music ensemble. Instead, the band creates new music inspired by the sounds and cultures surrounding them in contemporary Brooklyn neighborhoods and communities.
“Anyone who knows these traditions can immediately hear them in the music,” Kaye explains. “These are not traditional songs, but are very close. We are not a traditional music band. We play original music influenced by a variety of traditions.”
The music also reflects Kaye’s personal journey. Born in London and raised musically on jazz, Jewish liturgical music, and early swing recordings, Kaye eventually discovered the oud after encountering Arab musicians in his Brooklyn neighborhood. What began as a chance encounter outside an Egyptian barber shop evolved into a profound musical calling.
“I became totally fascinated and obsessed,” Kaye recalls. “After developing a certain level of proficiency, I felt I could do something with it. I’ve always been a composer, so the natural next step was writing new music using the oud as a songwriting tool.”
The resulting music transcends cultural borders while remaining grounded in human connection. Instrumental and open-ended, the compositions invite listeners to find their own stories and emotions within the music.
“This music is about having a meeting place for everyone,” says Kaye. “An instrumental song could mean anything to any person. I hope organically it becomes a meeting place for anybody who wants to listen.”
Baklava Express has earned praise for its cross-cultural approach and emotionally resonant performances. Artists Central called the group “a unique and innovative sound,” while World Music Central described the ensemble as “a profoundly moving experience that transcends geographical borders and musical conventions.”
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are discounted if purchased in advance. Tickets and more information are available at www.nextstagearts.org.
