Oi-Va-Voi formed in December 1999 when six disparate London musicians became united by a desire to create a new sound in dance music. Already well versed in music styles such as dub, funk and drum n' bass, the six began to explore the traditional musics of Eastern Europe and the Jewish world - styles as of yet relatively unexposed in the West. Two and a half years later, the results are explosive.

Oi-Va-Voi's dance-floor savvy saw them quickly securing gigs for some of the most dance-hungry crowds and venues including Glastonbury 2000, The Melkweg, Amsterdam, The Knitting Factory, New York and Subterrania and Cargo, London. At the same time, their genuine respect for traditional Eastern European melodies and rhythms secured performances on some important world music stages, including Dranouter Festival and Antwerp International Festival of Jewish Music 2000, Belgium, and Robert Wyatt's Meltdown Festival, London. Furthermore, collaborative projects with Moroccan dance act 'Momo' and with Algerian piano legend 'Maurice El Medioni' gave Oi-Va-Voi tour experience in Germany and Russia. Throughout all of these gigs, the response from the diverse crowds was overwhelming, making it clear to the Voi that, by mixing the soulfulness and passion of traditional Eastern European music with club-style break-beat, they had discovered a powerfully contagious new sound.

The recording of Oi-Va-Voi's debut album Digital Folklore began in October 2001. By March 2002 the work was complete with tracks featuring drum n' bass, dub, funky-house and heart-felt lyrics, all mixed with the Voi's unique, Eastern European inspired melodic style. Since the completion of the album, tracks have featured on compilation albums including Futuro Flamenco on 'Outcaste Records' (others in the pipeline include Phat Global 2 on Palm Pictures and the new Buddha Bar release) and remix projects have begun with various producers, most notably the Kriminal Gangsta, (one of the producers from UK Garage sensation 'The So Solid Crew'.)

With the album behind them, Oi-Va-Voi's latest venture, the inclusion of keyboard player, sampler and producer Frank Ilfman, and award-winning digital FX and sound manipulator Moshik Kop has completed the transition from 'a band' to 'an act'. Recent performances- at Klinkers Festival, Brugge, the Respect Festival and the National Theatre's Summer Festival, London - have seen the band's new compulsive dance beats, Eastern European melodies, dubbed-out digital FX and dynamic stage presence combining to blow the crowds away. Audience reaction to their new club/dance set on a four-date solo tour of Cyprus at the end of August confirmed this in the most emphatic way.

Currently in negotiations for the signing of their album, Oi-Va-Voi are set to become one of 2003's most exciting new arrivals.

Web site : www.oi-va-voi.com

SelectedPerformances 2001/02:
Roots&Harmony tour to Essen, Bochum & Recklinghausen, Germany with Momo
Salaam Shalom Festival, Dom, Moscow with Maurice El Medioni
WOMEX Showcase, Essen, Germany
Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos & Nicosia, Cyprus
Melkweg Dance Music Festival, Amsterdam
Klinkers Festival & Dranouter Festival, Belgium
Knitting Factory, NYC
Glastonbury Festival, UK
Cargo, Subterrania, Ocean, Africa Centre, Respect Festival & Robert Wyatt's Meltdown Festival on the South Bank, London
World Routes, BBC Radio 3, UK
South Bank Show, ITV, UK
Selector, syndicated to radio stations worldwide
UK Today, documentary syndicated to television stations worldwide

Contact :
YaD Arts,
49 Basildon Court,
28 Devonshire St,
Tel: 44 207 535 0251
Fax: 44 207 224 8258
E. mail : helen@yadarts.com