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It was back in 1988 that we realized we had grown beyond just being a single band, the Balkan Rhythm Band TM, which in 1980 was one of the first “world beat” groups on the Chicagoland scene. It was clear that we needed an umbrella organization for our then two bands. By 1990, the decision to create Modal Music, Inc. had proven to be exactly the right thing to have done because we had grown to become five bands.
Then we began to present concerts here and in Denmark. We also developed a powerful educational program and started booking a number of artists who were related to our groups in one way or another. Now, with our own bands’ six recordings as a kernel, we are developing a record company wing. In addition, we are developing a product line of instruments, and various things “ethnic” that are and will continue to be interesting to our fans and clients.
Our growth is fueled by the quality of our products, both live performances and items we sell. In fact, in 2001, sixty one percent of our business was with repeat clients! People hire our bands repeatedly because they know we provide them with flexible, high quality, family-friendly professional entertainment. And, of course, it helps that we present our music in as an acoustic manner as possible in any given performance situation. Add on our efforts to include the audience in the fun by getting them up and dancing and / percussing along with us, and you have the Modal Music story: good music, good players, and responsive, friendly, interactive entertainment.
Our roster reflects the variety of American immigration. We have upbeat Jewish Klezmer, exotic Greek Rembetika, sweet Scandinavian dance music, and hot Balkan groups, as well as a multi-ethnic band which is all of the above and more. And then there is ethnically American music, too. We have a Swing / Tin Pan Alley / Dixieland band and can book a number of traditional Blues artists and bands.
We also book a firey Flamenco music and dance troupe and can offer Raqs Sharqi dancers, Greek dancers, Jewish dancers, and Scandinavian dancers.
If you are an ethnic musician / dancer or know of good, ethnically-oriented groups, get affiliated with Modal Music. Let’s talk about how we can partner together.
Our recording department is always on the look-out for great ethnically-oriented recording artists. Our mission is to present everything from “roots” music to even experimental music (as long as there is some identifiable “ethnic” aspect to the music). As stated above, we start with recordings by our own bands. But fun things start from simple seeds.
Please sign up on our e-mail list. We will keep you posted about new and exciting events around town as well as anything regarding the arts as seen through an “ethnic”-arts-oriented eye. And while you are at it, please let us know what you think about our site, our mission, and our artists! We appreciate your comments and interests. And, of course, please spread the word about us so that others can get involved.
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