Divanhana is based in Sarajevo, a city historically described as a crossroads between the East and the West. Divanhana present new arrangements of urban traditional music from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular emphasis on the soulful sounds of Sevdalinka, the musical vehicle for the expression of amorous longing and melancholy, passion and joy, with its roots in the days of the Ottoman Empire.
The band was formed in 2009 by a group of young students from the Sarajevo Music Academy who, with their contemporary instrumentation of brass, piano, bass and drums complimenting the traditional accordion and vocals, open up the Sephardic and Oriental elements of Sevdalinka to a new jazz sensibility, while the clear tones of singer Leila Catic deftly span the emotions between heartache and playfulness.
Personnel: Azur Imamovic – bass; Danijel Condric – guitar; Irfan Tahirovic – percussion; Ismar Poric – clarinet, saxophone; Leila Catic – vocals; Nedžad Mušovic – accordion; Neven Tunjic – piano; Rifet Camdžic – drums.
In 2022, the group released Zavrzlama with a different lineup. The album was recorded in Slovenia in February 2020, just before the first lockdown. Zavrzlama was mixed in Sarajevo in June 2021. The album features songs such as “Na Kuslatu Se Mahrama Vihori”where Šejla Grgić showcases her formidable skill as a singer; “Cilim” invites the listener to dance; “Peno”, a tribute to legendary Roma (Gypsy) singer-songwriter Saban Bajramovic.
The lineup in Zavrzlama included Šejla Grgić on lead and backing vocals and kazoo; Neven Tunjić on piano and backing vocals; Nedžad Mušović on accordion and backing vocals; Rok Nemo Nemanič on trumpet; Goran Bojčevski on flute; Adin Taletović on electric guitar and backing vocals; Azur Imamović on electric bass and backing vocals; Irfan Tahirović on percussion.
Discography:
Dert (Yaman, 2011)
Biljeske Iz Sestice (Multimedia Music, 2013)
Zukva (Multimedia Music, 2015)
Live in Mostar (Multimedia Music, 2017)
Kardes (Multimedia Music, 2018)
Zavrzlama (CPL-Music, 2022
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.