Album Links
Vardari is lively world fusion band that explores shared Balkan melodies. Led by Greek and Croatian-American flutist and singer Ellie Falaris Ganelin, the ensemble performs in nine languages, reflecting the region’s diverse cultural history. Vardari has performed all over the Bay Area, including the Berkeley Makam Festival at Ashkenaz, the Starry Plough’s Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal series, Europe in the Park, Artist Migration Series in Half Moon Bay, Red Poppy Art House, and The Cheeseboard Collective.
The name Vardari comes from the Vardar, a river that has inspired Balkan songs in different languages and is a source of both sustenance and inspiration. The river — like the music — transcends borders.
In support of the launch of Vardari, Kombos Collective has been awarded grants from the Fleishhacker Foundation and InterMusic SF in 2024, and the Elios Charitable Foundation in 2024 and 2026.
Press
“An extremely well thought out effort from The San Francisco outfit, Kombos Collective touch on folk, jazz and chamber ideas like few others could, and it makes for another cultured, timeless and enlightening experience.”
Take Effect Album Review • May 6, 2025
Balkan EU • May 24, 2025 • Kombos Collective Celebrates Balkan Heritage Through Music and Dance
March 28, 2025 • Press Release: Kombos Collective Launches Vardari: Shared Balkan Melodies
The river — like the music — transcends borders.
“The songs I’ve curated could be considered historical greatest hits, melodies that are so magnetic that people adapt and translate them in their respective languages. Vardari confirms what people of this region know in their hearts. The backbone of our collective musical traditions use the same underlying modes: an undercurrent that makes these musics more interconnected than different.”
-Ellie Falaris Ganelin, director
Personnel
Ellie Falaris Ganelin, vocals, flute & arrangements
Christina Walton, violin & backing vocals
J. Maddox, guitar
Joe Belson, bass
Sage Baggott, drumset & percussion
Upcoming Dates
Thursday, Oct 29, 2026 • 4:45pm – 7:45pm
The Cheeseboard Collective
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Free
Thursday, Nov 19, 2026 • 4:45pm – 7:45pm
The Cheeseboard Collective
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Free
Past Dates
Red Poppy Art House // Saturday, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30pm
2698 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA
The Cheeseboard Collective // Friday, August 28, 2026 • 4:45-7:45pm
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
The Cheeseboard Collective // Friday, May 22, 2026 • 4:45-7:45pm
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Piano Palace // Sunday, May 17, 2026 • 4pm
514 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay, CA
Presented by Artist Migration
The Cheeseboard Collective // Wednesday, March 18, 2026 • 4:45-7:45pm
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Free
The Cheeseboard Collective // Thursday, December 18, 2025 • 4:45-7:45pm
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Free
Red Poppy Art House // Friday, November 14, 2025 at 7:30pm
2698 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA
Europe in the Park // Saturday, September 20, 2025
Peacock Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Representing Greece with this celebration of EU nations
Album Release & Virtual Listening Party // Friday, September 5, 2025
Album officially released on CD and Bandcamp
Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal // Saturday, August 16, 2025
Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, Calif.
8-9:40pm
$20 general/$15 students
Vardari PREMIERE // Saturday, May 31, 2025
Berkeley Finnish Hall // 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley, Calif.
6:30pm doors open
7pm folk dance lesson with Janetta Redžić
7:30pm live music
Sliding scale: $25-10
Promotional Partner: Anatolian Arts Institute
Berkeley Makam Festival // Friday, May 9, 2025
Ashkenaz // 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, Calif.
7:30-8pm Vardari Set with Ellie Ganelin (vox/flute) and J. Maddox (guitar)
Hosted by Anatolian Arts Institute