Moishe's Bagel

Moishe's Bagel

Moishe's Bagel is a UK-based group formed in Edinburgh in 2003. The line-up includes Phil Alexander, Mario Caribé, Greg Lawson and Guy Nicholson. The group plays klezmer and Balkan music, drawing on folk dance, jazz and eastern percussion in its sound.

Style and performance

The group is known for energetic live sets and for free improvisation. Its music combines passionate, forceful klezmer with Balkan influences, and its approach is shaped by jazz and percussion traditions.

Recordings

Moishe's Bagel has released four albums: Don't Spare The Horses (2005), Salt (2007), Uncle Roland's Flying Machine (2010) and Salt for Svanetia (2016).

Members

Greg Lawson

Greg Lawson plays violin. He studies at the Royal Northern College in Manchester and works as a freelance violinist. He performs with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish National Orchestra, McFall's Chamber and rock groups, among others.

Phil Alexander

Phil Alexander plays piano and accordion. He studies with John Tilbury at Goldsmiths College. He leads a jazz tango trio, performs with Eliza Carthy, and spends many years as a member of Salsa Celtica. His compositions feature at London's South Bank and at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall.

Mario Caribé

Mario Caribé plays double bass. In 1986 he completes a BMus in Composition at Universidade Estadual de Campinas. In São Paulo he arranges, records and produces seven CDs with a nine-piece jazz band called Heartbreakers. He also performs with major Brazilian singers including Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Nana Caymmi and Zizi Possi.

Guy Nicholson

Guy Nicholson plays percussion. He studies tabla, daraouka and congas with Indian classical musicians in the UK. He adapts his style to Scottish folk music and works regularly with guitarist Tony McManus.