Obliquestra

Obliquestra was founded on May Day, 2021 as live music began a nervous, tentative sprouting from the ashes of the pandemic. What is Obliquestra? It’s what happens when diabolical fiddler and neo-vaudevillian Dr. Sick, accordion tickler and composer David Symons, and Bavarian clarinet wunderkind Susanne Ortner get in a room together and play whatever music they most enjoy.

Elusive of any artificial notions of genre, it turns out Obliquestra plays whatever Obliquestra wants to hear. That includes everything from Moldovan klezmer, Brazilian choro, New Orleans jazz, old novelty songs, tin pan alley, Russian and French waltzes, German theater songs, original chamber compositions, and so much more.

Currently the musical director for the Squirrel Nut Zippers, who helped pioneer the swing music revival in the 1990s, fiddler/guitarist/singer/musical sawist Dr. Sick had previously worked with accordionist/singer/composer Symons in New Orleans’ premiere Brechtian cabaret band, The Salt Wives. They invited Bavarian-born klezmer/choro/jazz clarinetist Susanne Ortner to join them. And the rest? Well, come and see what they can do!

Together they play astonishing music that spans the time and auditory spectrum, and promise to be the band that everyone at the festival talks about. For good measure, keep in mind Dr. Sick’s credos: “be the show you would pay to see” and “break it till it works”.