BaLKan Brass

MALAGRUPA (NOW RETIRED)

malagrupa was a small Trubachi-style band that plays original music, with a nod to hip-hop, surf, ska and a strong influence from folk music of the Balkan regions. Disbanded in 2018.

Personnel:

Jonnine Mahonen, truba and vocals

Nikola Tosic, trumpet and vocals

Mik Bewsky, guitar, tenor horn and tapan

Cole Ediger, drums

Ashton Sweet, helicon

Steve Clements, tenor horn.

ORKESTAR SLIVOVICA (Now retired)

Orkestar Slivovica was Vancouver’s home-grown Balkan Brass band, playing wedding and festive music from Serbia and Macedonia, where it is known as Trubachi.

The band was mentored every year by Demiran Cerimovic, three times awarded at the famous Dragacevo Assembly of Trumpet Players (Gucha).

Countless performances at festivals, weddings and various events include three years of participating in Amanda Palmer's NinjaTED evening, which saw collaborations with Palmer, Jherek Bischoff and Geoff Berner.

Photo by Diane Smithers.