About Inspector Gadje
The San Francisco Bay Area-based Inspector Gadje is a powerhouse brass band, featuring up to 14 musicians, that specializes in the joyful, high-energy dance music of the Balkans in Southeastern Europe. Their huge sound, built on tight drum grooves and soaring horns like trumpets and saxophones, guarantees an instant party at every performance. The band focuses on Romani (or “Gypsy”) music, an ancient and celebrated cultural tradition. Their name, “Inspector Gadje,” is a clever nod to the 1980s cartoon, but the word gadje itself is a Romani term meaning “outsider” or “non-Romani.” This name highlights the band’s identity as allies who respectfully learn and share the music while acknowledging they are not part of the culture they play. Inspector Gadje is deeply committed to cultural awareness and avoiding cultural theft. They work closely with the non-profit Voice of Roma and travel annually to Balkan countries (like Macedonia and Turkey) to study directly from master musicians. They also frequently collaborate with master artists in the U.S., such as the renowned Macedonian-born clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski, who has toured and recorded with them. This dedication to respectful exchange and learning helps ensure the music they play honors its roots and supports the communities that created it.
