Balkan Brass Battle Generates Excitement in Gypsy Music World

Jill Turner reports that the first Balkan Brass Battle is ready to tour Europe at the end of May 2011. From the wild, wild East – Romania & Serbia – the two foremost Roma (Gypsy) brass bands Fanfare Ciocarlia and the Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar are taking the stage together in 2011 to see who blows hottest and hardest.

“We’ve had DJ Battles, hip hop battles and now, starting a new craze the contenders lined up for the first Balkan Brass face off will be, Fanfare Ciocarlia vs Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar,” said German record label Asphalt Tango, who’s behind the challenge.

Tour dates confirmed are:

21.05.2011 Brighton (UK) Brighton Dome
22.05.2011 London (UK) KOKO
24.05.2011 Vienna (AT) Konzerthaus
26.05.2011 Leipzig (D) UT Connewitz
27.05.2011 Berlin (D) Huxleys
28.05.2011 Gent (B) Handelsbeurs
29.05.2011 Tilburg (NL) International Gypsy Festival

Buy the albums:

In North America:

• Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar: Devla, Boban I Marko Balkan Brass Fest, The Promise, Live in Belgrade, Go Marko Go!, Zlatna Truba, Millennium
• Fanfare Ciocarlia: Live, Radio Pascani, Baro Biao, Iag Bari, Aco Bocina and Fanfare Ciocarlia, Gili Garabdi, Queens & Kings

In Europe:

• Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar: Devla: Blown Away to Dancefloor Heaven, Boban I Marko Balkan Brass Fest, Go Marko Go!, The Promise, Bistra Reka – Clear River, Millennium
• Fanfare Ciocarlia: Fanfare Ciocarlia Live, Queens and Kings, Gili Garabdi: Ancient Secrets of Gypsy Brass, Baro Biao, Radio Pascani, Iag Bari