The gypsy music of Central Europe is combined with bebop, post-bop, and fre… Read Full Bio ↴The gypsy music of Central Europe is combined with bebop, post-bop, and free jazz influences by France-based acoustic band Bratsch. While their name is derived from a type of viola used to accompany Tsigane vocalists, the trio re-creates the traditional sounds of cymbaloms and percussion on guitar, accordion, and clarinet.

Bratsch was formed in 1975 by guitarist Dan Gharibian and violinist Bruno Girard. Gharibian, who was raised in an Armenian home, was inspired by the Armenian, Russian, Greek and Oriental music favored by his grandparents. Although he played with teen-aged rock bands, he became fascinated with the music of Django Reinhardt at the age of 14. Girard, who studied violin at the age of nine, refused to read music, preferring to play by memory. After receiving a degree in biology, he spent a decade working in science while playing music part-time. Although they initially mixed a global range of musical styles including Arabic and South African music, Bratsch soon shifted their focus to gypsy jazz. The group also features accordion player François Castiello and clarinet player Nano Peylet.

Bratsch have taken the music of the European Gypsies and turned it into something all their very own, bringing it to life with masterly skill in their atmospheric and compact concerts. Their music brings new vitality to both the traditions of Eastern Europe and the roots of "Tsigane Jazz", as made world famous by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. With great emotion, poignant melodies and subtle arrangements, they create a unique acoustic music, which, for years, has been enthralling both the French audiences and the press in equal measure. Their first live album is a rare document, recording their very first German concert.

"These vagabonds carry the nostalgia of Eastern Europe in their bundles, the vibrancy of the Mediterranean, the dexterity of the Gypsies and the irony of the Jews. Music without frontiers." (Le Monde)

"A wondrous journey from West to East with a band of joyously abandoned nomads, who poke fun at all restraints. Whether the tunes they play are Gypsy, Russian, Armenian, or Yiddish, or their own original songs, they have the audience on its feet, shouting for more." (L’Express)

"The music of Bratsch is vital, lyrical, raw and romantic, but never sentimental and certainly never saccharine." (plärrer)

Na Mi Naz Ouni
Bratsch Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yekan garnan anush orer
Tsaghkov ltsvan dashter, dzorer
Yars zugvel seyran kerta
Hagats-kapats alvan shorer

Na mi naz uni, naz uni, naz uni
Dzerqin saz uni, saz uni, saz uni
Chalelov seyran kerta

Dartsel e jeyran kerta

Artutn ekav mtav art
Blbuln ijav grkets vard
Hazar sirun, hazar heqim
Chen imana srtis dard

Sirun krunk, ijir qarin,
Achqd pahe smbul sarin,
Kaynir qez mi namak kutam,
Balqi tanis hogus yarin.

Havqer kugan yeram-yeram
Anun unis ashugh sheram

Enqan yaris piti kanchem
Teymor varim, vorpes qyaram

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Na Mi Naz Ouni" by Bratsch speak of the beauty of nature and the joys of being in it. The first stanza describes the peacefulness of the dawn, with the birds singing in the fields and the quiet rustling of leaves. The second stanza talks about the excitement of going out into nature, with friends enjoying the journey together. The chorus repeats the phrase "Na Mi Naz Ouni," which means "don't look at me," and creates a feeling of freedom and carelessness. The next stanza speaks to the deeper emotions one feels while being in nature, with a sense of longing and pain mixed in. The final stanza paints a picture of someone walking slowly and enjoying their surroundings while thinking of a loved one. Overall, the song celebrates the beauty of nature and the freedom one feels when out in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Yekan garnan anush orer
The sweet hours of one spring night

Tsaghkov ltsvan dashter, dzorer
The gardens and mountains are blooming and swaying

Yars zugvel seyran kerta
The gazelle runs quickly

Hagats-kapats alvan shorer
The wind blows softly and gently

Na mi naz uni, naz uni, naz uni
Don't call her, her, her

Dzerqin saz uni, saz uni, saz uni
Her voice is like a musical instrument

Chalelov seyran kerta
The birds sing joyfully

Dartsel e jeyran kerta
The deer dances gracefully

Artutn ekav mtav art
I went to the peak of the mountain

Blbuln ijav grkets vard
I saw the flowers and the grass

Hazar sirun, hazar heqim
A thousand colors, a thousand scents