Internationally renowned world music and jazz clarinet virtuoso Ivo Papasov (Bulgaria) is the winner of the WOMEX 2022 Artist Award.
Papasov grew up within the Turkish-speaking Roma community of Bulgaria’s Thrace region. His innovative style of wedding music has influence from Turkish, Greek, Balkan and Roma music, as well as jazz and rock. His dazzling virtuosity and expert command of his instrument quickly secured Papasov and his Trakija Band as the most popular wedding entertainers in 1970s Bulgaria.
For his resilience in remaining the epitome of his style through every difficulty and obstacle; his dedication to the advancement of Thracian and Turkish-Roma music in Bulgaria; and his sheer, passion-filled mastery of the clarinet, Ivo Papasov is the recipient of the WOMEX 2022 Artist Award.
As part of the Showcase Concerts, Ivo Papasov and His Wedding Band will perform a special set on the last day of the five-day world music event, Sunday, 23 October 2022, at the 125-year-old São Luiz Teatro Municipal in Lisbon, Portugal.
More about Ivo Papasov.