Accordionist Rob Reich (Tin Hat, Gaucho, Nice Guy Trio) leads a top notch 11-piece band through his bold original music for Circus Bella, an open air, one-ring circus featuring contemporary, high-level acts set to an original score performed by live musicians. The music captures the danger, bravado, wit, and virtuosity of a traveling circus show. It sweeps the listener through a dazzling array of styles, and explores the line between deadly serious and hilarious. This performance celebrates the release of the "Circus Bella All Star Band" first CD.

Rob's compositions are inspired by 1920s and New Orleans Jazz, Klezmer, French waltz, and American circus marches. Reich has worked with the circus artists to develop arrangements that complement the physicality and mood of each act. His scoring leaves room for the musicians to stretch out from the notes on the page and to fill the space with improvisation that goes with the feeling of the moment. The music unfolds with as much spontaneity as the performers in the ring.

Rob received his degree in Composition from Oberlin Conservatory and has been composing original music for 15 years. This CD represents Rob's mature musical vision for the first time.

Rob on accordion is joined by some of the Bay Area's finest musicians including Ralph Carney, Sylvain Carton, and Tom Griesser on reeds, Dina Maccabee on violin, Henry Hung and Ian Carey on trumpet, Greg Stephens on trombone, Zachariah Spellman on tuba, Michael Pinkham on drums, Beth Goodfellow on percussion, and some surprise circus performers from Circus Bella!

Visit Rob's website

Listen to a track from the Circus Bella All-Star Band: