A Concert and DanceFSGW and the World Music and Dance Institute, in cooperation with World Music Folklife Center, present critically acclaimed saxophonist Yuri Yunakov, with Selaidin Mamudoski (clarinet), Severdjan Azirov (percussion), Kujtim Ismailov (bass) and Muhamed Ismailov (accordion, keyboard) in a concert and dance at the Hollywood Ballroom, 2126 Industrial Parkway, Silver Spring, MD (3.75 miles outside 495, off Colesville Rd.). Their incredibly thrilling blend of virtuosic technique, electrifying improvisation, rapid tempos, and daring key changes is a contemporary take on "wedding music, " named for its ubiquitous presence at Roma celebrations and rites of passage. Originally played only for, with, and by Roma, this music was driven underground in Bulgaria during the 1970s, but has re-emerged and is growing in popularity across Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Macedonia and Turkey. Yuri Yunakov pioneered ?Bulgarian Romani Wedding Music? along with Ivo Papazov and Neshko Neshev in the 1970s and was then catapulted to international fame. Their incredibly thrilling music showcases virtuosic technique, electrifying improvisation, rapid tempos, daring key changes and eclectic musical literacy. This contemporary style of "wedding music", named for its ubiquitous presence at life cycle celebrations such as weddings, baptisms, and circumcisions where dancing and music are a requirement, was originally played only for, with, and by Roma. While harsh racism in Bulgaria drove this type of music underground in the 70s, Yunakov was one of the leading stars that fought to continue playing for Romani and non-Romani audiences alike. For decades this music?s popularity has been growing by leaps and bounds across Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Macedonia and Turkey, and more recently is going global, gaining enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim in Western Europe, Canada, Australia and the U.S. Yuri, a self taught virtuoso saxophonist, was born in Haskovo, Bulgaria of Turkish Romani ancestry, immigrated to New York City in 1994, formed his own band, the Yunakov Ensemble, in 1995, and has toured extensively in the U.S. with them, as well as recording three Traditional Crossroads CDs. You can hear their unique sound at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m-YGI5cgAo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeOvwTdpqiYThe concert is co-sponsored with the World Music and Dance Institute, in cooperation with World Music Folklife Center.
