An article from the Pasadena Now Site: An evening of Ukrainian and Eastern European folk music will accompany the CD Release of Raven & Rose on Sunday April 3, 2016 at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The gypsy-folk orchestra is traveling through Altadena as part of their cross-country 25-city spring tour.
Raven & Rose’s live shows strike a balance between original pieces and spirited instrumentals, putting a modern spin on Gypsy and Eastern European folk music. Led by the husband-and-wife team of Rosalie Crowe on violin and singer-songwriter Roy Crowe on accordion, trombone, guitar, melodica, Raven & Rose fills out a unique soundscape from serene and dreamy waltzes to lively and wild kolomeykas. Gabriel Surley joins on percussion to keep the rhythm moving for our fun and dynamic spirit.
David Konowalchuk plays the kobza, a Ukrainian folk instrument he crafted himself, adding a flavor of cultural richness of the music.
Raven & Rose has been growing through this collaboration and is finally ready to release the first album with the current ensemble of members. The latest album “Coin of the Realm” was recorded live and independently at Wild Rose Studios in Corvallis, Oregon, where the musicians hail from.
Rosalie’s Polish heritage inspired her focus on eastern European folk music. She was mesmerized early on by her uncle, Zigmund Bieniek, who played accordion tunes at gatherings on his farm in Ragiewiec, Poland. “Both of my parents immigrated from Poland to Detroit when they were young.
We made several trips to stay with my family back in the tiny farm town of Rogówiec, Poland. I have lots of good memories of the wheat fields, horse drawn carts, family farm, and accordions.” She has played violin in orchestral arrangements for the play, Le Tartuffe for Oregon State Univeristy Theater, Old-time bands like “When Picks Fly,” recorded with solo artists like Gabriel Surley and the Unstable Atmospheres, and in her larger band: “Coin of the Realm Orchestra.”
Raven started playing trombone when his elementary school offered band in fifth grade. The director said “blow in this, buzz in this, stick out your arm… Your a trombone player!” Since that time he has performed in many ensembles including Symphonies, Jazz Bands, Wind Ensembles, Marching Bands, Rock Bands and yes even his own solo project “Ravencrowe”.
Raven has toured 37 states and performed in “too many venues to count.” He is also a multi-instrumentalist including such instruments as accordion, guitar, keys, bass, trombone, melodica, bells, & percussion.
