(headline image: Yegor Zabelov – photo by Ana Maria Dinis)
Belarusian musician Yegor Zabelov is widely recognized as one of the most innovative accordionists in the contemporary music scene. In addition to his work as a performer, he is a composer, producer, and author of scores for film and theater. A classically trained musician, Zabelov began studying the accordion at age seven under the guidance of his father. He later graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Music, an institution known for its rigorous training in western classical music performance.
Throughout his career, Zabelov has collaborated with various ensembles and has performed internationally. Although his musical foundation is rooted in Belarusian folk traditions, his work draws from a wide range of genres, including rock, jazz, avant-garde, and neoclassical. This broad stylistic palette informs his compositions, which are often described as emotionally charged and musically expansive.
Zabelov’s live performances are notable for their intensity and dynamic range. His style oscillates between powerful, percussive passages and delicate minimalist passages, evoking comparisons to composers such as Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt. His physical engagement with the instrument, sometimes described as visceral, reflects the immersive quality of his music.
He first gained attention as part of the duo Gurzuf, alongside drummer Artiom Zalessky. More recently, he has led the Yegor Zabelov Trio, which includes Alexander Efimov on bass and Vladimir Beger on drums. Through both projects, Zabelov has played a significant role in expanding the expressive possibilities of the accordion and in drawing renewed interest to the Eastern European avant-garde and experimental scenes.
Yegor Zabelov was invited in 2025 to appear at WOMEX in Tampere, one of the globe’s leading world music showcases.
Discography:
Non-existent movie, with Gurzuf (2007)
The Rose Festival, with Yegor Zabelov Trio (2017)
Märchen (2018)
Niti (2020)
Author: JGurski
