PUTNEY, VT — On Friday, May 29, Next Stage Arts welcomes Baklava Express, a Brooklyn-based ensemble whose music blurs lines between tradition and innovation, evoking the vibrant energy of an open-air Mediterranean marketplace. The concert begins at 7:30 pm, with doors opening at 6:45 pm, at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney.
Baklava Express has built a reputation for crafting a rich, high-energy sound that draws from a wide range of musical traditions, including Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Arab, Mizrahi, and Sephardi influences. Their original compositions weave these ancient roots together with subtle elements of jazz, flamenco, and rock, resulting in a sound that feels both timeless and distinctly contemporary.
The group’s latest release, Sabába, captures a band fully at home in its musical identity—joyful, fluid, and deeply collaborative. Improvisation plays a central role in their performances, allowing each show to unfold organically and offering audiences a fresh experience every time.
Led by oud player and composer Josh Kaye, Baklava Express brings together musicians with diverse backgrounds and influences. Violinist Sarah Mueller adds expressive melodic lines, while James Robbins on bass and Jeremy Smith on percussion provide a dynamic rhythmic foundation that drives the ensemble’s sound.
Together, the quartet creates an instrumental “meeting place,” inviting listeners into a shared musical space that transcends borders and genres. Their music offers both a sense of connection to longstanding traditions and an openness that encourages personal interpretation.
Tickets are $22 in advance, $26 at the door, and $10 for a livestream option. More information and tickets are available at nextstagearts.org.
