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TRADITIONAL ROMA MUSIC CONCERTS
2nd - 3rd of June - LA FABRIKA
GALA CONCERT
4th of June - DIVADLO ARCHA
Khamoro festival attendees are most looking forward to concerts and a traditional Romani music galaconcert, which are an integral part of the programme. This year is not an exception.
A total of seven Roma bands from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, France, Russia and Serbia will be presented during Thursday and Friday's concert from 7 p.m. at Club La Fabrika. All musical groups will introduce themselves again during Saturday's gala concert at the Divadlo Archa. With special guests - dancers and singers from a Ukrainian-Romani ensemble named Romans, who escaped to Poland during invasion in Ukraine.
THE COZMEŞTI MARCHING BAND / ROMANIA
The legendary Romanian Roma Cozmeşti Marching Band is another band to perform at this year’s Khamoro.
Cozmeşti Marching Band was established almost 120 years ago. It is the longest performing traditional band in Romania following up on deep, strong roots of the Roma traditional music and culture. The Cozmesti Marching Band holds many significant festival awards. Its main asset is the authentic sound. Its members play folk music like their forerunners more than a hundred years ago.
Fourteen years ago, this band hired singer Ina Chiriac who completed the unique inimitable sound of the band by her energetic singing and the timber of her voice.
For many years the band has performed at prestigious festivals abroad, in Italy, France, German, Lithuania, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, and other countries.
Cozmeşti Marching Band was established almost 120 years ago. It is the longest performing traditional band in Romania following up on deep, strong roots of the Roma traditional music and culture. The Cozmesti Marching Band holds many significant festival awards. Its main asset is the authentic sound. Its members play folk music like their forerunners more than a hundred years ago.
Fourteen years ago, this band hired singer Ina Chiriac who completed the unique inimitable sound of the band by her energetic singing and the timber of her voice.
For many years the band has performed at prestigious festivals abroad, in Italy, France, German, Lithuania, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, and other countries.
MANUŠA/SLOVAKIA
The passion of the Roma heart and the tenderness of the Roma soul, energetic czardas, and plaintive, sad songs – that’s what you can enjoy at the concert of the Manuša (People) Roma band.
„I wish we could enrich ourselves by the talents of others, and share our own talents, “ says Júlia Kozáková, talented singer with velvet voice, who is the face of the band.
Although not a Roma herself, her unfettered expression, energy, and depth of experience will overwhelm you. Her wonderful singing is enhanced by a group of experienced top musicians headed by violinist Viliam Didiáš, who you may know as a member of the popular Gypsy.cz band.
Athough Manuša is, from the point of view of instruments, a typical dulcimer band, its sound is nontraditionally enriched by guitarist Zsolt Varady.
The Manuša band plays mainly traditional Roma folk songs of the Central European region. It has also released a debut album with the same repertoire.
If you like Roma folk songs, you should not miss this band performance!
„I wish we could enrich ourselves by the talents of others, and share our own talents, “ says Júlia Kozáková, talented singer with velvet voice, who is the face of the band.
Although not a Roma herself, her unfettered expression, energy, and depth of experience will overwhelm you. Her wonderful singing is enhanced by a group of experienced top musicians headed by violinist Viliam Didiáš, who you may know as a member of the popular Gypsy.cz band.
Athough Manuša is, from the point of view of instruments, a typical dulcimer band, its sound is nontraditionally enriched by guitarist Zsolt Varady.
The Manuša band plays mainly traditional Roma folk songs of the Central European region. It has also released a debut album with the same repertoire.
If you like Roma folk songs, you should not miss this band performance!
BAKO JOVANOVIC / AUSTRIA / SERBIA
During this year of Khamoro you can look forward to see one of the biggest stars of instrumental Balkan traditional Romani music - Bako Jovanović!
Explore the magic of tamboura, a four-string instrument with Indian origin, which is engraved in Balkan music for centuries. Played by Bako and five members of his band, it will be sure to charm you.
Bako comes from a family of musicians, so his first teacher was his uncle - a great star of traditional music Dragan Jovanović. At the age of 16, Bako won the grand prize for the best solo tamboura at the well-known festival "Starčevačka Tamburica".
After that success, Bako's career took off. Within a few years he had been featured in leading traditional music festivals in Berlin, Oslo, Tilburg, Madrid, Paris, London and Vienna.
His incredible talent and characteristic sound attracted other stars of traditional music to collaborate. Names include Saban Saulić, Lepa Brena, Haris Dzinović or Ljuba Alicić.
You need to experience this concert. Come to Khamoro!
Explore the magic of tamboura, a four-string instrument with Indian origin, which is engraved in Balkan music for centuries. Played by Bako and five members of his band, it will be sure to charm you.
Bako comes from a family of musicians, so his first teacher was his uncle - a great star of traditional music Dragan Jovanović. At the age of 16, Bako won the grand prize for the best solo tamboura at the well-known festival "Starčevačka Tamburica".
After that success, Bako's career took off. Within a few years he had been featured in leading traditional music festivals in Berlin, Oslo, Tilburg, Madrid, Paris, London and Vienna.
His incredible talent and characteristic sound attracted other stars of traditional music to collaborate. Names include Saban Saulić, Lepa Brena, Haris Dzinović or Ljuba Alicić.
You need to experience this concert. Come to Khamoro!
FLAMENCO BALLET LUCIA GUARNIDO STUDIO / SPAIN
This year’s Kamoro festival will also feature representatives of fiery flamenco.
This time it will be the music and dance formation Flamenco Ballet Lucia Guarnido Studio, whose members are recruited from former and current students of the unique dancer, pedagogue, and choreographer, Lucia Guarnido.
During her active career, Lucía was involved in the best dance projects - Eva Yerbabuena Company, Andalusian Flamenco Ballet, and GR Project Company.
She instills love and respect for flamenco and hard work into her students. And it brings her work to fruition. The excellent performance of her dancers has been received with great enthusiasm at many festivals.
Although Lucía and her dancers are inspired by deep traditions of flamenco, and authenticity is one of the pillars of their work, we can look forward to seeing some innovative choreography including elements of different dance genres.
This time it will be the music and dance formation Flamenco Ballet Lucia Guarnido Studio, whose members are recruited from former and current students of the unique dancer, pedagogue, and choreographer, Lucia Guarnido.
During her active career, Lucía was involved in the best dance projects - Eva Yerbabuena Company, Andalusian Flamenco Ballet, and GR Project Company.
She instills love and respect for flamenco and hard work into her students. And it brings her work to fruition. The excellent performance of her dancers has been received with great enthusiasm at many festivals.
Although Lucía and her dancers are inspired by deep traditions of flamenco, and authenticity is one of the pillars of their work, we can look forward to seeing some innovative choreography including elements of different dance genres.
LE ČHAVENDAR/CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Roma music will be represented by Le Čhavendar (Chlapci) band of Rokycany.
The band is inspired by the tradition of top Roma musicians of Rokycany. However, the band is trying to enrich this tradition with modern music elements. The result is an interesting mixture of Roma folklore with jazz, samba, salsa, or funk.
Le Čhavendar has been active for more than two decades. The band is composed of six musicians: vocalist Emil Miko, bass guitar player Jan Dužda, solo guitarist Marek Miko, solo guitarist and vocalist Štefan Malík, guitarist and vocalist Milan Dužda, and drummer Michal Cába.
The demonstration of qualities of Le Čhavendar is the band’s participation in festivals both at home and abroad, such as the Thames Festival which is one of the most popular festivals which takes place annually in the center of London.
Le Čhavendar is the holder of the Zlín talent 2004 award with their winning song „Sako vakerel“ (Každý si povídá). This award inspired Czech TV to make a documentary in 2005.
The band is inspired by the tradition of top Roma musicians of Rokycany. However, the band is trying to enrich this tradition with modern music elements. The result is an interesting mixture of Roma folklore with jazz, samba, salsa, or funk.
Le Čhavendar has been active for more than two decades. The band is composed of six musicians: vocalist Emil Miko, bass guitar player Jan Dužda, solo guitarist Marek Miko, solo guitarist and vocalist Štefan Malík, guitarist and vocalist Milan Dužda, and drummer Michal Cába.
The demonstration of qualities of Le Čhavendar is the band’s participation in festivals both at home and abroad, such as the Thames Festival which is one of the most popular festivals which takes place annually in the center of London.
Le Čhavendar is the holder of the Zlín talent 2004 award with their winning song „Sako vakerel“ (Každý si povídá). This award inspired Czech TV to make a documentary in 2005.
JELENA MARKOVIĆ AND THE ELVIS AJDINOVIĆ ORKESTAR / SERBIA
One of the highlights of this year’s Khamoro Festival will be the appearance of popular Serbian singer Jelena Markovic accompanied by the legendary Balkan brass band The Elvis Ajdinovic Orkestar.
Jelena comes from the family of Serbian Roma musicians; her uncle is the famous trumpeter, Boban Markovič. She started her singing career at the age of seven, and she participated in various competitions and festivals. During her career she performed with the ikons of the Balkan Roma music, Sanja Ilić and Goran Bregović.
The Serbian brass-band music which will perform at this year’s Khamoro, bears the name of its leader, legendary trumpeter Elvis Ajdinovic, one of the best-known Serbian Roma musicians. The band was founded in 1970. Elvis is the laureate of several prestigious awards, of which the title of the best solo trumpeter of the Guća festival is the most noteworthy. The Elvis Ajdinović Orkestar includes many other family members.
The combination of two big stars of the Balkan Roma music, Jelena and Elvis, promises a unique experience. It is something to look forward to!
Jelena comes from the family of Serbian Roma musicians; her uncle is the famous trumpeter, Boban Markovič. She started her singing career at the age of seven, and she participated in various competitions and festivals. During her career she performed with the ikons of the Balkan Roma music, Sanja Ilić and Goran Bregović.
The Serbian brass-band music which will perform at this year’s Khamoro, bears the name of its leader, legendary trumpeter Elvis Ajdinovic, one of the best-known Serbian Roma musicians. The band was founded in 1970. Elvis is the laureate of several prestigious awards, of which the title of the best solo trumpeter of the Guća festival is the most noteworthy. The Elvis Ajdinović Orkestar includes many other family members.
The combination of two big stars of the Balkan Roma music, Jelena and Elvis, promises a unique experience. It is something to look forward to!
ARBAT / FRANCE
ARBAT was founded by the guitarist of Russian origin, Pascal de Loutchek, and Roma singer Lilia Roos Dalskaya. The music and dance group bears the name of the famous Bohemian Moscow quarter – a meeting place of artists and musicians.
Although the Arbat members draw on the traditional music and dance of Russian Roma, their arrangement and interpretation are enriched by segments of more modern genres, such as jazz, swing, latino, bossa nova, and others.
The success of Arbat is based not only on the professionalism of its founders, but also on the mastery of other musicians, such as violinist Costel Nitescu, guitarist Frank Anastasio, accordionist Dario Ivković, and double bass player Alexeï Derevistky. The beautiful music comes complete with top Roma dancers.
What does a traditional Roma music and dance in the 21st century look like? Arbat of France will show you!
Although the Arbat members draw on the traditional music and dance of Russian Roma, their arrangement and interpretation are enriched by segments of more modern genres, such as jazz, swing, latino, bossa nova, and others.
The success of Arbat is based not only on the professionalism of its founders, but also on the mastery of other musicians, such as violinist Costel Nitescu, guitarist Frank Anastasio, accordionist Dario Ivković, and double bass player Alexeï Derevistky. The beautiful music comes complete with top Roma dancers.
What does a traditional Roma music and dance in the 21st century look like? Arbat of France will show you!
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