Tag Archives: Balkan music

Trio Tsuica, Rose City Book Pub, Portland, Oregon, May 31, 2026

I was a member of a trio that trekked to North Portland on the last night in May 2026 to enjoy the ambience of the Rose City Book Pub and the music of Trio Tsuica, which bills itself as Portland’s … Continue reading

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Neha!’s Svetu

The world can always use more Balkan vocal groups. One of the newest is the women’s ensemble Neha!, which came together during the Covid pandemic in 2020 in Slovakia. The group was founded by Zuzana Vranka Žiaková, who in addition … Continue reading

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Elina Duni & Rob Luft’s Reaching for the Moon

I’ve been a big fan of Elina Duni since her first ECM album Matanë Malit (Beyond the Mountain) in her long-standing quartet with Colin Vallon, Patrice Moret and Norbert Pfammatter — as well as its follow-up Dallëndyshe (The Swallow). I must admit … Continue reading

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Sekvoya’s Gathering of Enchanted Herbs, and The Magic of Slavic Rituals

I’m not sure how I missed this one when it came out, except to say it was the summer of 2025 and stuff was weird. But when the second release in this planned trio of EPs from the Serbian psychedelic … Continue reading

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Veronika Varga’s True Picture

Veronika Varga is a seasoned performer of more than a decade, both solo and as a member of various ensembles (Babra, BudaPesme, VreMea Válkània, Epseria, and her a cappella project Lemonokipos). True Picture is the recording debut of the Hungarian … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Folk and World Music Galore Vol. 4

I’ve come to look forward to the annual Folk and World Music Galore compilation from the German labels Nordic Notes and CPL-Music. The 2025 version of this comp, Vol. 4, is no exception, and even perhaps the best one yet, … Continue reading

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Kulin Ban’s Ad Drinum

When Vladimir Savić first gathered musicians under the name Kulin Ban in 2005, it was never meant to become a typical band. What began spontaneously at a wedding in Southern Serbia soon evolved into a foundation-like, non-profit project named after … Continue reading

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Vesna Pisarović’s Poravna

Croatian singer Vesna Pisarović has come a long way since her song “Everything I Want” placed 11th in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002. She still sings pop music in concert, and the music on her nine pop albums has been … Continue reading

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De Amsterdam Klezmer Band’s Limonchiki

Judith Gennett wrote this review. Looking for a spicy klezmer band? From Holland, De Amsterdam Klezmer Band might be the band for you. Assigned to Knitting Factory’s alternative sub-label, their music is at times so spiced up with Eastern European … Continue reading

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Romashka’s Romashka

In a little over a year, Romashka have built a reputation as one of the most exciting and energetic bands in New York City’s world music scene. Before converging on Brooklyn, the band’s eight members cut their musical teeth in … Continue reading

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