Bibs Ekkel

Born in London, U.K., of mixed Polish-English background, Bibs Ekkel is one of few outstanding exponents of the balalaika outside Russia. His career as a professional balalaika player has covered con­ certs, cabaret, recordings, films, and innumerable radio and TV appearances throughout Europe and North America. It has earned him recognition too in the balalaika's Motherland, where he has performed on radio and TV as well as at Moscow's prestigious "Hall of Columns" and "Tchaikovsky Hall." He has lectured on Russian folk music at American Universities, coauthored a BBC radio educational series on the subject and worked as Russian music adviser for several BBC TV productions. He has also had Russian and Polish speaking roles in a variety of movies. In addition to his activities as soloist, Bibs Ekkel runs a highly successful Russian music and dance ensemble, "Tziganka" (which has toured internationally since 1975), an instrumental quartet "Balalaika Potpourri" (started by him in Vancouver in 1989, soon after his move there from London), and the duo "Russian Tornado" (specifically aimed at school concerts). Some of his many recordings have been issued by "Russkiy Disk" Moscow, CBS Israel, and "Decca" in London.