Stage 119

In the world of contemporary musical performance, Branko Bako Jovanović stands as a transcended the stereotype of the tambura as an instrument only used for the traditional city- nunique figure. Rightfully bearing the title of “the world’s leading tambura player,” he has urban music. He has given it new functionality across a wide range of musical genres – from ethno sounds inspired by the rich folkloric traditions of the Balkans, through Spanish flamenco, Hungarian csárdás, Portuguese fado, manouche, rebetiko, jazz, gypsy jazz, all the way to his own unique fusions through which he builds his own artistic identity. By opening new musical horizons for the tambura, and driven by the artistic intuition that led him to explore genres where the instrument traditionally does not belong, he has crafted an authentic playing style distinguished by virtuosity and a keen sense for the diverse temperaments of music. His performances today can be described as high-level musical events that leave the general audience and professional musicians speechless. They are marked by a unique sound palette, reflected in his exceptional playing technique...