Based in Sydney, six-piece ensemble Chaika take their name from the Bulgarian word for ‘seagull’. Blending four female and two male voices with clarinet, violin, piano, accordion, double bass, guitar and percussion, they have been described as “deeply touching and meditative” as well as “exuberant, virtuosic and uplifting”. Chaika are a group whose strength is the elusive nature of their style. At times flashes of Balkan, Jazz, Jewish, Celtic and Italian music emerge; these flashes are interspersed with fluid original compositions to weave a sometimes sensuous, sometimes cinematic, sometimes irresistably danceable, and always an ultimately unique sound. Chaika is formed of six musicians who have, between them, written for and performed with such artists as Monsieur Camembert, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Nicky Bomba, Riley Lee, Mara! & the Martenitsa Choir, The Song Company, The Rhythm Hunters, Kevin James, Baby et Lulu, Great Waitress, Klezmer Divas, The London Bulgarian Choir and The Renaissance Players, on major national and international stages. Collectively they bring an extraordinary depth of experience to their music. Their two independent album releases, I Monti (2014) & Chaika (2012) explore a rich collection of both traditional and original compositions, which have taken them to many festivals and venues across Australia. Like their namesake, Chaika wander through foreign lands, through storms and through stories, emerging rich with experience and an enchanting tale to tell. ‘A unique collection of songs… To say that these guys are talented would be an understatement. …The whole effect is mesmerising, as is much of the rest of this extraordinary CD’. 4 stars – Michael Morton-Evans, Fine Music 102.5FM, reviewing I Monti ‘…spine tingling a capella… Chaika’s not inconsiderable collective instrumental chops, which allow piano, accordion, violin, clarinet, guitar, double bass and percussion to adroitly intertwine, is well exhibited’ – Tony Hillier, Rhythms Magazine, reviewing I Monti ‘It is easy to be enchanted by the beauty of their four-part harmony vocals’ – Tony Hillier, The Australian, reviewing Chaika ‘Beautiful! I love the way your pieces often abruptly shift gears, and how the textures change - how we're bopping along with an instrumental when suddenly we're into four-part female vocals… Most of all I love the soul with which you imbue your pieces’ - Martin Wesley-Smith (Australian composer) ‘Clarinet, accordion, violin & double bass all intertwine diversely & at times unpredictably giving Chaika a rich depth. … such a young & talented group of musicians’ – Eastside Radio, Sydney ‘Words cannot describe how great and unique they really are. Seeing this kind of music produced live was an amazing experience, which we were lucky to witness.’ – The Rhythm Hut, Central Coast Worldly folk jazz with cinematic classicism - see www.chaikaband.com & buy albums at http://chaika.bandcamp.com