Born in a small town near Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, where the director of cinema Emile Kusturica filmed The Time of the Gypsies. Her music used to be available, not too long ago, only on cassette tapes.

She has performed since the age of twelve and was discovered by the renowned musician, composer and bandleader Stevo Teodosievski, who became her mentor, musical partner and later her husband. Their ensemble became one of the most popular groups in the Balkan region. They made hundreds of recordings together, several of which became "gold." They toured extensively, filling concert halls and stadiums in Europe, Australia, China, Pakistan, Africa and the Middle East. During their life together, Stevo and Esma adopted 47 orphans and street children into their home, which evolved into a school of folk music. Esma continued her career after Stevo's death in 1997, continuing to perform with the Ensemble Teodosievski. 

Composed of members of Stevo and Esma's music school, Esma's group is composed of Simeon Atanasov (accordion), Elvis Huna (bass accordion), Tasko Grujovski (double bass), Zekiroski Sami (clarinet), Zahir Ramadanov (trumpet) and Elama Rasidov (darbuka). 

Esma Redzepova's songs are the musical expression of her love to Macedonia and its Gypsy roots. Her music sounds like typical melodies of the Balkan Mountains with a special protagonist of the violin, clarinet and accordion and with influences from India, Persia and Spain, creating an exciting atmosphere, cheerful and sensual.

Esma is an authentic star in the Balkan countries. For over twenty-five years, she has been performing in the most important venues of the world. She has acted in several movies and she is without any doubt the great ambassador of the Gypsy Macedonian culture in the world.

Official Web Site: http://www.esma.com.mk/

Songs of A Macedonian Gypsy (Monitor)

Chaje Shukarije (Europe: World Connection/ USA: Times Square Records)

Pomedju dva zivota [Between two lifes] (Kaliopi Music)