Tag Archives | Mahala Rai Banda

Mahala Rai Banda — Romanian Folk gets a Balkan Beat

Taraf de Haidouks may be where it’s at, but Mahala Rai Banda is no slouch!

Mahala Rai Banda, formed by violinist Aurel Ionita who is a related to members of Taraf de Haïdouks — the best of the best Romanian Romani bands — takes the music a step toward international funk. As you’ll no doubt enjoy in in this video, the rollicking Romani ensemble from Bucharest combines violins and accordions and a rousing rhythm section with an army brass band from the village Zece Prajin.