Shara

Koshka (formerly Kesha) came together as a result of Oleg Ponomarev, Nigel Clark and Lev Atlas' mutual love of music as diverse as classical, folk, and hotclub. Although no strangers to the big stage, having played to thousands during their respective careers, Koshka honed their sound playing intimate shows at Russian Caf Cossachok and have rapidly become an in demand world music act. Their first major show was played to a packed Tron Theatre in November 2001 and they have since performed around the UK and Ireland, with appearances at Oran Mor during West End Festival, Glasgow International Jazz Festival and Celtic Connections Festival (where they received the accolade of being the only act to receive two standing ovations at the Old Fruitmarket). They have also guested with Aly Bain during the Edinburgh Festival in 2002 and composed the official song for Holocaust Memorial Day 2002, which they performed at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Following the critical success of their first album, Kesha, Koshka have recorded sessions for BBC Radio and a second collection, Shara, is released in January 2005. What distinguishes Koshka as world class act, is not only the individual members' virtuosity, but also the fact that they play almost entirely original material, composed by Oleg Ponomarev, widely recognised as one of the leading composers of contemporary world music.