BARCELONA GIPSY BALKAN ORCHESTRA

BARCELONA GIPSY BALKAN ORCHESTRA (BGKO) is an international formation which has stirred great interest in Barcelona and various other european countries through its memorable performances. BGKO interprets traditional music of the Balkans, Gipsies and Jewish of Eastern Europe with an original approach and great passion while constantly exploring their roots.

The contemporary, unique and particular sound of Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra stems from the tireless and passionate exploration of the timbers and flavours of the klezmer and romaní traditions and the balkan music. Balkan music, perceived as a set of musical traditions and a multiethnic culture, goes beyond its geographical borders and is moreover nurtured by all those historical traditions that coexisted in this land throughout the centuries: askenazi, jewish and sefardies, gipsies, ottomans, arabs..

The group itself blends the various artistic influences of its members. It has been greatly enriched and shaped by Barcelona’s musical scene, from latin american to traditional catalan, italian, greek, russian and middle eastern songs to the vibrant sounds of jazz, flamenco, jazz manouche and rockabilly.

BGKO is formed by Sandra Sangiao (voice, Cataluña), Mattia Schirosa (accordeon, Italy), Ivan Kovacevic (doublebass, Serbia), Julien Chanal (guitar, France) y Stelios Togias (percussion, Grecia), Joaquín Gil (clarinete, Málaga) y Oleksandr Sora (violin, Ucrania), who were brought together in Barcelona in the “legendary” jam sessions which explored and investigated these musical styles. These curious musicians have always been distinguished by the passion and originality in which they interpret the balkan music while simultaneously bringing a modern approach.

Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra (BGKO) is the evolution of Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra. A band that in three years became a reference in the ethnic music scene of Barcelona and in a very short time reached a wide international projection.

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