The band blended their heritage with an emphasis on modern pop sensibilities reflecting their own individual interests in indie rock and alt-folk and the urban dance music of the clubs of London.

The story of the band's genesis started in the two cities of Oxford and London, with Jonathan Walton aka Lemez Lovas meeting Josephine Burton.

Within a year this core line up started to solidify and the band found a fertile young Jewish urban arts scene in London to grow into and thrive.

In the early days of the internet it was radio shows such as The Sound of the World[1] and WorldWide[2] that typified the outward looking perspective of the vibrant UK music scene of that time.

JMI booked the band to play at the Southbank Centre in Autumn of 1999 to which conversations followed between the Jewish Music Institute and Oi Va Voi, where guidance, mentoring and financial assistance were given.

The outcome was twofold, firstly YADARTS was created by Josephine and Jonathan to be an agency and hub for young Jewish music and arts to which they launched to a series on sell out concerts at Union Chapel.

"[citation needed]The direction took to mix Klezmer and Jewish roots music with House, Drum and Bass, Dubstep and Hip Hop.

Former singer Josephine Burton left the band and went to set up the agency Yad Arts together with BBC DJ Max Reinhardt.

The response to the album served to not only galvanise their following around the new release but was also nominated for a BBC World Music Award, went on to see them perform a showcase at Womex in Essen and then sign to Outcaste Records.

[clarification needed] The band recorded the album in the studio and had additional production from Moshik Kop and Toni Economedes (Da Lata) plus guest singers - Judit Nemeth, Earl Zinger, Lenny Breslaw (Drummer's father) and Mayer Bogdanski.

The album had a strong urban production which was also complemented by numerous remixes which included Hefner and Matthew Herbert Big Band accompanying its release.

The album came out in October 2003 with launch show at Bush Hall and was followed by a great press response (see below) followed by an extensive European tour in February 2004.

Singer Bridget Amofah (currently of Rudimental) joined the band, as well as Lucy Shaw on Bass, Anna Phoebe on Violin and David Orchant on Trumpet.

Over the next two years the band developed a strong performing presence and it was in this period of the burgeoning East European and Balkan music scene that Oi Va Voi found a huge popularity across the Eastern Europe and with that Turkey opened up to them.

The Turkish audience found a deep connection in the band's sound with its mix of Eastern European, Balkan, Jewish and Middle Eastern modes and rhythms fused with metropolitan urban dance music and solid songwriting all contributed to them having week long residencies at Istanbul's Babylon Club, regional radio airplay, extensive regional touring and festival headline appearances sometimes touring twice within the same year.

Travelling the Face of the Globe is the fourth studio album released by London, England based band Oi Va Voi.

The band's line up was cemented from the two years on the road together and the material was a product of both their experiences of touring, hence the album title and the synergy of the musicianship of the line-up.

Following that debut show the band embarked on a successful UK and European Tour that culminated in a sold-out concert at Shepherds Bush Empire.

Musicians performing on the album include: Steve Levi (Clarinet and Vocals), Josh Breslaw (Drums), David Orchant (Trumpet and Piano), Michael Vinaver (Guitar and Bass), Anna Phoebe (Violin), John Matts (Guitar and Bass), Zohara Niddam (Vocals, Piano, Keys), Georgina Leach (violin).