A historic reunion of the superstars of Bulgarian “wedding music,” a kinetic, rhythm-bending cultural force that ricocheted across Southeastern Europe in the 1970s and ‘80s. Built upon virtuosic technique, inventive improvisation, rapid tempos and daring key changes, “wedding music” is based in Balkan folk music and infused with a riveting mix of jazz and rock, Gypsy, Turkish and Indian music, and pure testosterone. Ivo Papasov, Yuri Yunakov, Neshko Neshev and Salif Ali together created and embodied this explosive sound, becoming national icons in the years leading up to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now, after a decade on separate continents, they’ve joined forces again, reinventing regional dances and melodies with their legendary breathtaking flair.
These are four Bulgarian Gypsy musicians who, during Soviet times, started listening to underground tapes of Charlie Parker, Jazz, and Rock. They experimented with Bebop and the electric rock sound of the West, combining these influences with traditional Bulgarian music, inventing a new folk style that took Bulgaria by storm. Showcasing virtuosic technique, inventive improvisation, rapid tempos, daring key changes, and eclectic musical literacy including Turkish and Indian music, their music was outlawed by the Soviets. But the music fans of Bulgaria quickly fell in love with their new sound and the group often played to crowds to 10,000 or more while the Soviets looked on with despair. Bulgarian students in the 70’s looked to these musicians somewhat like American students followed cult Rock bands. Their music retained a Bulgarian folk tradition but it came to embody freedom of expression valued in the west. Eventually, the government had to sanction their concerts and even endorsed their music, sending them around the world as musical diplomats.
The Legends of Bulgarian Wedding Music: