Bohemian Nights at Wyreena music cafe

Violinist Ernie Gruner and Accordionist Phil Carroll play an all-embracing repertoire of Gypsy, Klezmer, Middle-Eastern, French, Italian, Russian, Jazz and Tango music with irresistible bohemian flair. They have worked together as wedding musicians for many of Melbourne’s multicultural communities and as roaming musicians at cafes, in true European tradition - serenading tables, taking requests and creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. Ernie and Phil draw on their experience playing at theatre and dance events for Russian, Armenian, Jewish, Turkish, French and Italian and other communities, as well as parties and weddings.

Phil specializes in Middle Eastern music, and Ernie specializes in Jewish music. In 2008 after a tour to Western Australia, Phil returned to Istanbul to play and study Turkish and Balkan music, and Ernie travelled to Montreal, Toronto and New York for more klezmer studies.

Australian concert highlights include the National Folk Festival, National Multicultural Festival, Apollo Bay and Albany Festivals. Seven tours to New Zealand have included the Wellington International Arts Festival, Wellington and Dunedin Folk Festivals and the Christchurch Jazz Festival. They have two well-reviewed albums, launched at full-house concerts at The Boite and Fortyfive Downstairs.