A Hawk and A Hacksaw

A Hawk and A Hacksaw (AHAAH) takes its inspiration from Eastern European and Balkan traditions. Percussionist, accordionist and vocalist Jeremy Barnes and violinist Heather Trost, both Albuquerque natives, are the band’s center often bringing others, such as cimbalom maestro Kálmán Balogh, into the mix. AHAAH sprang from a mutual fascination that Barnes and Trost had for the sounds of Eastern Europe and a desire to work with musicians from the region. They moved to Saumur, France, then to Leicester, England, on to Budapest, and back to Albuquerque. Featuring instrumental music with occasional vocals, shouts and cheers they blend traditional tunes with original material. AHAAH has recorded five CDs. Their 2008 release, Délivrance, features members of the acclaimed Hungarian brass band, the Hun Hangar Ensemble with whom they lived for months before recording. The result is “a cheerfully exuberant fusion based around Hungarian instrumental styles, but with a bit of everything, from a Greek melody to echoes of Mexican mariachi brass and a funeral march that would impress Tom Waits.” (The Guardian). Tonight, AHAAH is Jeremy Barnes, percussion, accordion and vocals; Heather Trost, violin; Sam Johnson, trumpet & flugelhorn; Papalazarou, bouzouki; and Mark Weaver, tuba.