Modern Balkan Jazz Orchestra
genre: JAZZ, ETHNO
The Modern Balkan Jazz Orchestra is not only a musical experience, but also a cultural one. It represents the ambition of young European musicians to continue the traditions of American Jazz, West-European Classical Music and East-European Folk, with respect to their legacy
Modern Balkan Jazz Orchestra is a collective of musicians from 10 different countries, established by Romanian saxophonist Alex Simu and Bulgarian drummer Borislav Petrov.
Based in Amsterdam, the orchestra features some of the best young jazz musicians living in Holland and the extraordinary Bulgarian wedding singer - Vania Valkova, as well as the new generation of both jazz and folk educated Balkan artists - Maria Markesini (vocals) and Dimitar Liolev (alto saxophone).
MBJO is dedicated to capture the sound of the contemporary jazz big band and enrich it with the beauty of the traditional Balkan folk song. The music of the orchestra puts together the spontaneity of jazz improvisation with the vibrating energy of the ethnic voice. The musical landscape is further complemented with textures from classical, romantic. 20th century classical music, and a variety of jazz styles.
The arrangements of MBJO's conductor Alex Simu, combine contemporary western harmony and counterpoint concepts with the natural flow of the Balkan melody and rhythm. This music unites and perfectly blends the unique voices of jazz and folk music.
The Modern Balkan Jazz Orchestra is not only a musical experience, but also a cultural one. It represents the ambition of young European musicians to continue the traditions of American Jazz, West-European Classical Music and East-European Folk, with respect to their legacy.
- ALEX SIMU (Romania) - band leader/conductor/arranger
- BORISLAV PETROV (Bulgaria) - drums/co-leader
- VANIA VALKOVA (Bulgaria) - vocals/gadulka
- ELENA EKICHINA (Russia) - flutes/vocals
trumpets:
- TOBIAS REISACHER (Germany) - lead trumpet/flugel horn
- JAN DEKKER (Netherlands) - trumpet/flugel horn
- WIEBKE PAHRMANN (Germany) - trumpet/fflugel horn
- DOLAN JONES (UK) - trumpet/flugel horn
- COOS (Netherlands) - trumpet/flugel horn
saxophones:
- FLORISVAN DERVLUGHT (Netherlands) - alto/soprano, sax/flute/clarinet
- MAARTEN HOGENHUIS (Netherlands) - alto sax/soprano, sax/flute
- JARED WELSH (Canada) - tenor sax/flute
- PAWAN BENJAMIN (USA) - tenor sax/flute
- TINITHOMSEN (Germany) - baritone sax/bass clarinet
trombones:
- MICHAEL RORBY (Sweden) - lead trombone
- JOSVAN DEN HEUVEL (Netherlands) – trombone
- NATHANIEL ADKINS (USA) –trombone
- JULIANE GRALLE (Germany) - bass trombone
rhythm section:
- TONY ROE (Netherlands) - piano
- SYBEREN VAN MUNSTER (Netherlands) - guitar
- MACEJ DOMARADZKI (Poland) - double bass
special guest performers:
- MARIA MARKESINI (Greece) - vocals
- DIMITAR LIOLEV (Bulgaria) - alto sax
- LEXTANGER (Netherlands) - sound engineer
