Jutta & the Hi-Dukes
This world music band tours internationally, transporting souls (and soles) on exciting worldbeat dance trips with energetic Balkan Gypsy grooves, Turkish-influenced Sephardic songs and Greek Rembetiko, hot Klezmer and Dixieland tunes, Scandinavian medieval melodies, French Canadian songs, and more (*). From Danubian grooves to Danish dance tunes, this fun group has something for every taste. Wolves and rabbits, ravens and nightingales all abound in this truly magical tour of world music.
The upbeat sound of Jutta & the Hi-Dukes (tm) is as unusual as its repertoire is eclectic because the core musicians are all multi-instrumentalists: between the three of them they play eight instruments — mandolin, violin, Greek baglama, guitar, kaval (Bulgarian flute), ocarina, and Balkan percussion (tupan and darabuka) — with two to three voices singing in up to 18 languages. When requested, the band adds additional world-class musicians to their lineup.
To make sure folks connect with the powerful roots music the audience is encouraged to drum along on band-provided percussion as well as to sing along. When circumstances allow it, like in a workshop, this engaging, skilled band teaches / leads traditional ethnic circle and lines dances. (All while concurrently playing their instruments!) The entire family, from toddlers to seniors, gets to join in the very accessible fun!
In 1990, Jutta & the Hi-Dukes evolved out of leader Terran Doehrer’s original jazz band, the award-winning Balkan Rhythm Band ™. In addition to playing at festivals, universities, schools, libraries, and private parties, Jutta & the Hi-Dukes presents programs for special needs communities in the U.S. and Europe.
“[Their] music is exciting, and listeners will find it hard to keep from leaping up to dance.” — Natalie Wainwright, Arts & Life reviewer, Round Table
“They have an amazing repertoire … they have that authentic chutzpah that makes the music come alive … This band knows how to reach everyone, regardless of age or background.” — Michigan’s BlissFest festival brochure on the band’s third appearance there.
“… such a wonderful show! … entertaining, but also informative and instructive … everybody had a wonderful time.” — Michael B. Cosmopoulos, Ph.D., Dept. of Anthropology, U. of Missouri
“Your performance was truly amazing and we are very glad that you could be part of this special event.” —Juan Carlos Acevedo, Outreach Coordinator, Wheeling Park District
“Thank you so much for performing at our Bishop Hill Folk Festival! We have heard nothing but compliments about your music.” —Todd DeDecker, Bishop Hill Heritage Association Administrator
“Their artistry and sense of musical history is infused in their delicious tracks. I like [their] intelligent approach to music as well as the old world flavor of what [they] do.” — Terry Loncaric, entertainment writer and poet
“The music program presented at Oakton was very engaging, incorporated a history lesson directly translatable to student learning, and was simply delightful! Highly recommended!” — Professor Wendy Maier-Sarti, Oakton Community College, Skokie, IL
(*) BALKAN: Serbian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek, Croatian; JEWISH: Klezmer, Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewish, Israeli; DIXIE: Dixieland, Big Band, Ballroom; SCAN: Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish; French and French-Canadian, Hungarian, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, and a smattering of other cultures / countries.
