Kroke & Tindra

2010 saw the beginning of a collaboration with the norwegian trio Tindra the celebrated trio Kroke, one of Poland’s most experienced Klezmer bands.

Norwegian female trio Tindra was formed when the three musicians met at the Academy of Music in Oslo; Jorun Marie Kvernberg - fiddle/ Hardangerfiddle, Irene Tillung - accordion, Åshild Vetrhus - vocals.

Tindra carries out songs and tunes through a fine interaction that involves vocals, fiddles and accordion. The music is by far based on ancient Norwegian folk tunes passed on through generations or found in folk music archives. However, Tindra also compose music, making contemporary folk music with catchy arrangements and distinctive sounds.

As well as extensive touring in Norway the group has done concerts and tours in Vietnam, India, Georgia og Sudan. Ever since the start in 2000 the trio has received great reviews both for concerts and albums. The debut album Lukkeleg vaking (Happily awake) was launched in 2006 and Den kvite hjorten (The white deer) came in 2009. Currently Tindra released their third CD "Moder Norge" arrangements based on traditional tunes from Rogaland, Åshild´s home region.

Kroke has toured the world for 18 years with breathtaking klezmer music, and their list of collaborators include violinist Nigel Kennedy.

KROKE (which means Kraków in Yiddish) was formed in 1992 by three friends and graduates of the Kraków Academy of Music: Jerzy Bawol (accordion), Tomasz Kukurba (viola) and Tomasz Lato (double bass). The members of the group completed all stages of standard music education, including jazz and contemporary music.

KROKE began by playing klezmer music, which is deeply set in Jewish tradition, and adding a strong influence of Balkan music. Currently, they draw inspiration from a variety of ethnic music from around the world, combining it with elements of jazz and improvisation, creating their own distinctive style.
KROKE’s first concert outside Poland was in 1993 at the "Survivors Reunion” ceremony in Jerusalem upon the invitation of Steven Spielberg. Since then, the band has gained a loyal and devoted following by touring throughout Europe.
In nearly twenty years together, KROKE has performed at many prestigious festivals all over the world.

Summer of 2010 Tindra and Kroke were happy to form a project together. The two trios rehearsed for a few days and then presented a shared concert at the Førde festival and later at the Polish festival Sound of the North. The groups clicked right away in their collaboration, each trio so polished and professional that playing together appeared the most natural thing in the world. This bringing together of two bands from different cultures and generations was a great success and the teamwork will continue in 2011 with a concert at the Norwegian festival Vozzajazz and the release of the CD "Live in Førde" - NRKs (Norwegian national radio) recordings from the first concert just after their first meeting.