Mostar Sevdah Reunion is a musical group from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, specializing in sevdalinka blended with modern musical styles. Comprised of skilled musicians, the band has collaborated with well-known Roma music artists such as Šaban Bajramović and the late Ljiljana Buttler, with whom they produced two albums each.
Founded by Dragi Šestić in 1998, the band consists of old friends who came together to record their first album in 1999. They have since gained popularity among world music fans, performing at world music festivals and winning several music awards.
Band members in 2022 included: Mišo Petrović (lead guitar), Sandi Duraković (guitar), Nermin Alukić Čerkez (vocals and guitar), Marko Jakovljević (bass), Gabrijel Prusina (piano), Senad Trnovac (drums), and Vanja Radoja (violin).
Mostar Sevdah Reunion has performed on stages around the world, and their music has been widely praised for its authenticity and beauty. They have received numerous awards and accolades, and are considered one of the leading ambassadors of sevdah music. In addition to their traditional sevdah repertoire, the group also performs original compositions that are inspired by the genre, further contributing to the ongoing evolution of sevdah music.
Mostar Sevdah Reunion’s popularity is a testament to the enduring appeal of sevdah music and the group’s ability to bring this rich and diverse tradition to audiences around the world. They continue to perform and record new music, and are considered one of the leading sevdah groups in the world.
The Lady Sings The Balkan Blues reached the number one spot at the World Music Charts Europe in January 2023.
The 2024 album Bosa Mara celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first album by the Mostaran band. The album includes long-forgotten Bosnian Herzegovinian sevdalinkas that were brought back to life, such as “In the Trebinje town“ and “Bosa Mara“, and the famous sevdalinka “The Star’s Chasing the Moon.“
In addition to the sevdalinkas, Bosa Mara features a rearranged Croatian Međimurje ballad “Daj mi Bože joči sokolove“. There is also the poem by famous poet Jovan Jovanović Zmaj “ A što ti je mila kćeri“, and the Mediterranean song “Djevojka je zelen bor sadila“.
They also rearranged the Consuelo Velázquez cult song “Bésame Mucho!.“ Next, an Albanian and Kosovar song “Zatvorena kapija.“
Another notable track is the popular Roma song “Čaje Šukarije“ made famous by the legendary Macedonian Roma singer Esma Redžepova. It is recreated flamenco style, with handclapping, as a duet with the famous Spanish singer Pedro El Granaíno!
A special surprise of the album is a duet with a Cameroonian artist Muntu Valdo and the song “E Titi Lambo“ in a bilingual version.
Furthermore, the album includes an original song made in collaboration with Roma artist, musician, and poet Dragan Ristić (KAL) who wrote“Mesem Chori“ to the music of the MSR’s guitarist Mišo Petrović.
Aside from Muntu Valdo and Pedro El Granaino, guests include Miguel El Cheyenne (Spain) on percussions); Greek bugler Dominico Ntoumos; and local musicians, accordion player Boris Vuga and percussioist Djeno Mujić.
Discography:
Mostar Sevdah Reunion (World Connection, 1999)
Mostar Sevdah Reunion presents Šaban Bajramović: A Gypsy Legend (World Connection, 2001)
Ljiljana Buttler: The Mother of Gypsy Soul (Snail Records, 2002)
A Secret Gate (Snail Records, 2003)
Mostar Sevdah Reunion and Ljiljana Buttler: The Legends of Life (Snail Records, 2005)
Šaban (Snail Records, 2006)
Café Sevdah (Snail Records, 2007)
Ljiljana Buttler: Frozen Roses (2009)
Tales from a Forgotten City (Snail Records, 2013)
Kings of Sevdah (2016)
Mostar Sevdah Reunion presents Sreta: The Balkan Autumn (Snail Records, 2018)
Lady Sings The Balkan Blues (Snail Records, 2022)
Bosa Mara (2024)
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.