Live on the Plaza: Geni Skendo

World music group takes you on a trip around the world.

Astronauts of Albania (AOA), rather than being an ironically named hipster band, is actually led by Albanian emigre flutist Geni Skendo, a true musical explorer whose life adventure has brought him to the Birmingham area. The group plays the Albanian folk music of Skendo's youth, as refracted through his experience in jazz, classical, and global music. Distinctive, odd meter Balkan grooves provide both a skeleton for dazzling solos and a contrast with free-improvised sections; sonic excursions spin out of international instrumentation and lead in surprising directions.

Altogether, AOA provides a unique blend of traditional melodies and state-of-the-art playing, always with a sharp and clear focus on melody and rhythm.