Balkan Beat Box

Balkan Beat Box

Balkan Beat Box is a world music group from New York, United States, active since 2003. The group centres on Ori Kaplan, formerly of Gogol Bordello, and Tamir Muskat, who also plays in Firewater and Big Lazy. Its line-up also includes Tomer Yosef and Itamar Ziegler, with the broader membership associated with the group including Billy Levy, Ben Hendler, Dana Leung, Eyal Talmudi, Jeremiah Lockwood and Peter Hess.

The group often works with a changing range of musicians in both studio recordings and live performance. Among the collaborators linked with the project are Victoria Hannah, the Bulgarian Chicks, Uri Kinrot, Dessislava Stefanova and gnawa player Hassan Ben Jaffar. Their sound combines Jewish, Mediterranean and Balkan traditions with electronic elements and influences from New York City. The group cites Boban Markovic, Rachid Taha, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Manu Chao and Charlie Parker among its influences.

Style and influences

Balkan Beat Box is associated with folk and folk rock, alongside Balkan, Gypsy, world and electronic music. Its approach blends regional folk traditions with club-oriented production and a wide range of instrumental and vocal collaborations.