Yorgui Loeffler
Yorgui Loeffler comes from Haguenau and is currently considered one of the most talented Romany guitarists in Alsace. He takes off from Django Reinhardt and adds original elements to the music. His playing is characterized by technical precision and fast tempos. He'll be appearing at the festival with a family trio under his direction.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO6Ynh1ahgM
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx6XjRKmSUQ 

Angelo Debarre
Angelo Debarre was already learning to play the guitar at eight years old. He appeared on stage at the side of the best musicians in the world – playing with the groups Arbat, Raya, Bratsch, as well as with Jimmy Rosenberg. His style is technically precise, personal and temperamental. A true master of improvisation, he always surprises the listener with extraordinary harmonies. Angelo is currently considered to be the best there is in Gypsy Jazz.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-y62lax0Pc
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfL2sV1NRlA

Basily
The music of Basily harkens back to the heritage of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli and the group’s original style is based on Spanish Romany music. Basily are known around the world and take part in musical events in countries around the globe. The peak of their career was without doubt a joint concert with Stephane Grappelli in Munich.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UfASW3-2w8

Arbat
The trio Arbat came together in 1989 and carries the name of Moscow's famous Bohemian Quarter.
The founder of the group is Pascal de Loutchek, from a family of Russian musicians. The two other members of the group, singers and dancers Petia Iourtchenko and Lilia Roos-Dalskaia, were part of the world-renowned Romen theatre before leaving their native Russia. At the KHAMORO Festival, the group will be expanded to include violin, accordion and double bass.
MORE: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/Balval/Arbat/Arbat.html

BENGAS
The group formed in 2001 in Prague. BENGAS plays and sings in Romany and their repertoire includes Eastern chastushkas, csardas and the songs of Russian and Hungarian Roma, along with Balkan folkloric music, Arabic rhythms and their own compositions. They'll be appearing at the 2008 Khamoro Festival for the first time in a long time with their original lineup.
MORE: http://www.bengas.cz/
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/user/bengasband   

Loyko
The basic repertoire of the group Loyko consists of Romany music originating from Russia, but there are also influences of traditional Romanian and Hungarian music. The group plays its own compositions, along with traditional Russian songs. Loyko’s performance will get through to everyone who likes lively, technically brilliant violin playing.
MORE: http://loyko.net
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s67Xg7sHw2g
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpRDISBhjF4

Oluja
Members of the group Oluja are primarily young performers from the southern part of Serbia who learned to play wind instruments while they were still in the cradle. In Serbia, Oluja is considered to be one of the top wind instrument groups. The group has taken part in lots of musical contests with a long tradition and has won a series of important awards.

Ferus
Ferus Mustafov has been a member of many groups, appearing often on television and accompanying well-known singers. Now he primarily plays the clarinet and saxophone, where he is a true virtuoso. This leading Macedonian musician is also one of the founders of the Romany division of Macedonian television, where he works today as a music producer. He also appears in the film The Šutka Book of Record, which is being shown at the festival.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9RUf0IiL5s
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2AsSqj2aR0

Esma Redžepova
In 1976, Esma Redžepova was declared Queen of Romany Music in Kandahar, India. In 1991 in Frankfurt, she won the award "Primadonna of European Song". Her album "Gypsy Queen" is on the list of the 20 Best Albums of World Music. She has performed at more than 15,000 concerts over her career and been featured on more than 500 recordings to present. Esma is a true personality who uses her popularity to take part in extensive humanitarian activities.
MORE: http://www.myspace.com/redzepova
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cde1EvtrKgU
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnsNMgs1ZhQ

Puerto Flamenco
Any performance by the Spanish group Puerto Flamenco is bound to be a riveting show. The standout figure in the group is without doubt the dancer Francesca Grima, "La Chica", who captures the attention of every audience member. Experience Francesca Grima "La Chica" up close during the Flamenco dance workshops.
MORE: http://www.myspace.com/puertoflamencospace
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f9iel750-E
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZipuhK6XYs

Romans
This group appearing at the festival is made up of members of the professional Romany theatre of the same name from the Ukraine. Romans Theatre has a multifaceted and rich repertoire ranging from Romany folkloric music and dance, to old-time ballads and romances, to present-day urban romances.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRKARiSmvcE
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F46aRrBA3o

Opening concert

Gulo čar
The Brno group Gulo Čar are well known in the Czech music scene and holders of the Anděl Award in the World Music category for their CD, Baro Drom. The new album received production support from Doug Wimbish of the celebrated group Living Colour, evidence of its world-class quality in terms of both sound and music. The festival will get underway in a funky rhythm!
MORE: http://www.myspace.com/gulocar

Le Čhavendar
The group Le Čhavendar comes from Rokycany and formed in the year 2000. Their first CD, titled Le Čhavendar, came out the following year. The group won the Zlíntalent 2004 music contest and in 2005, Czech Television filmed a documentary about the group. The group plays its own compositions growing out of Romany folkloric music, enriched with jazz, Latin and flamenco.
MORE: http://www.myspace.com/lechavendar