“Neo-classical, Absurdist Cabaret”

- The Eugene Weekly; Eugene, OR

From the far-flung exotic reaches of Portland, Vagabond Opera brings a musical goulash of styles wherever they pitch their tents for the night. Specializing in Bohemian eclecticism, the troupe borrows liberally from musical styles all over the world and runs it through their own special filter: part demented klezmer band, part Kurt Weill cabaret decadence.

Their repertoire ranges from gut-bucket swing, Arabic belly dance and tangos to Ukrainian folk-punk ballads, St. Louis Jjazz and rags and a special tip of the fedora to Marlene Dietrich.

Led by Eric Stern, an operatic tenor, accordionist, pianist and composer, the band is rounded out by Robin Jackson on tenor saxophone, Jason Flores on upright bass, cellist Skip VonKuske, percussionist Mark Burdon and Leslie Kernochan, an operatic soprano and alto saxophone player.

A frequent performer throughout the Northwest, Vagabond Opera opened for Air America’s Al Franken in his recent trip to Portland and has appeared with the Oregon Symphony. They’ve also performed at the Oregon Country Fair, the Willamette Valley Folk Festival and headlined on Oregon Public Radio’s Live Wire Broadcast.

John Ginn - view publication’s website