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Walker Art Center and Cedar Cultural Center Present Twin Cities Debut of Boban Markovic Orkestar

“Pure propulsion: drumbeats as relentless as a machine and horn arrangements that could sound like a silver-toned chorale, a soul horn section, or a choreographed brawl.” —The New York Times

Legendary Serbian trumpeter

Boban Markovic

and his potent 10-piece band reinvent “traditional” folk music with high-octane injections of fevered Gypsy dance tunes, Eastern European jazz, and the sharp, sweet sounds of Balkan brass. A huge star in his homeland for his technical virtuosity and innovative arrangements, Markovic has gained international renown as one of today’s most dynamic and exciting musicians. The Walker Art Center and the Cedar Cultural Center present the Twin Cities debut of the Boban Markovic Orkestar at 8 pm Wednesday, September 15, at the Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South in Minneapolis.

Wholly defined by their Gypsy lineage, the Boban Markovic Orkestar is a quintessential Balkan brass band, hailing from Vladicin, Southern Serbia. The Balkan region represents many musical forms with very different ethnic roots. The Romanies have retained the Oriental aspect of Balkan music, while enriching it with their Indian roots. The Balkan brass bands possess an outstanding Romanian character and have creatively transformed the former rigid style which characterized traditional brass bands.

Boban Markovic Orkestar’s music was first introduced to Western audiences in Emir Kusturica’ s films Underground and Arizona Dream. Lead trumpeter Markovic and trumpeterJovica Ajdarevic have been lauded with the “Trumpet Maestro” title. In addition, the ensemble and its members have been the recipients of Golden Trumpet, First Trumpet, and Best Orchestra awards, many presented at Serbia’s world-renowned Guca Music Festival, which attracts 300,000 attendees annually. Upon hearing the group at the festival, Miles Davis stated, “I didn’t know you could play trumpet that way.”

Widely recognized as Serbia’s most decorated trumpeter, Markovic and his ensemble’s repertoire includes Gypsy grooves, chockeks and other dances, and new material composed specifically for the group. The Orkestar has played at major festivals and institutions throughout Europe, including the Interbalcanie Music Festival, the Balkan Brass Band Meeting, Mediawave, Plein Air, the International new Jazz Festival, and Pepsi Sziget (Budapest).

Tickets for the Boban Markovic Orkestar are $20 ($16 Walker and Cedar members) and are available by calling the Walker box office at 612.375.7622; or visit www.walkerart.org/tickets/. Patrons with special needs are asked to call two weeks in advance.