Boban I Marko Markovic Orkestar (serbia)

In a small town in Central Serbia called Guca, the "Festival of Brass Music" takes place since 1961. It's a competition to determine the best Brass musicians on Earth. Over 300.000 people a year grab the chance to listen to more than 30 bands. And Boban Markovic Orkestar used to be among the winners every time, receiving the "best orchestra" award in 2000 as well as "best trumpet" for the maestro himself in 2001 - his 5th personal win all in all. It was the first time ever that a musician got the highest mark from every jury member. Since then, Boban decided not to compete any more. He now leaves it at being the special guest in Guca, performing full time concerts - also a special honour, as brass bands at the festival mostly perform just three to four songs in a row rather than complete concerts. The reason for Markovic's continuing success is evident: reinventing traditional brass music with injections and adaptations of sounds from around the globe, the reigning king of Balkan Brass is the best trumpeter in Serbia! With his music strongly influenced by the old traditions of the Roma - just listen to his version of the Jewish classic Hava Naguila and you'll understand - the band's repertoire includes Gypsy grooves, �o�eks and other dances and tunes from the movies of Emir Kusturica as well as new material composed exclusively for the band. With his mix of archaic Jazz and light and sweet Balkan brass, Markovic became a king of the Balkans and is now one of the ultimate VIPs of the region. Always performing full power like a stadium Rock act, the band is a surefire highlight for your wedding and open-air-festival, music academy and classical concert alike. Since Emir Kusturica's notorious Balkan film "Underground" (1995), the Serbian brass tradition - single-handedly kept alive by the Gypsies from the times of the Ottoman Empire through Tito's communist regime, right into Slobodan Milosevic's infamous reign - enjoys a powerful presence on the world music scene. In the movie, the blasting Gypsy Brass, more than helpful in creating the frantic, surreal atmosphere which the film is famous for, was among the key factors to make the film unforgettable. None other than Boban Markovic and his orchestra supplied the most impressive tunes of the soundtrack. Boban Markovic Orkestar have played concerts all over Europe and the North American continent, including almost every relevant festival around, two smashing tours of the USA and Canada in 2002 and 2004, playing 18 concerts in 19 days plus three lectures/workshops, and a first off lecture for any at famous Julliard Academy in New York, showing they are ready to share their knowledge with colleagues everywhere. That applies even to Oasis - when Boban Markovic Orkestar played the World Music Stage in front of 15.000 people at "Pepsi Sziget" once, even Oasis had to wait a full 30 minutes for the crazy Serbs to let go of their thrilled audience. They waited and listened ... Marko Markovic: Being the only son of Boban Markovic, the Muhammad Ali of Balkan brass, Marko had much to aspire to as a young trumpet slinger. Born 29 Feb 1988, he was given a trumpet as a toddler and started to receive lessons from Boban's father when he was 9. At 13 he was in the studio for the first time, joined Boban Markovic Orkestar at 14 and at 16 became lead soloist and started arranging for the band. Now he is the main actor in the forthcoming movie Love Fair in Guca - directed by Dusan Milic, produced by Emir Kusturica - starring as young Romeo, trumpet player, falling in love with a Serbian girl. Music and race intertwine in this dramatic Balkan epic.