Father and Son Make the Orkestar Shine

The first time you hear “Mundo Chochek” by Boban I Marko Markovic Orkestar, you are guaranteed to start dancing your feet off. This twelve-piece ensemble is taking the stage at this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival on July 19th, and will definitely be a great way to end your Saturday afternoon at the majestic Dawes Park. Originating from Vlacidin Han, Yugoslavia, the Orkestar has remained the leading band in all of Serbia (since the late 80’s!). Aside from traveling all over the world (sold-out tours!) and receiving prestigious awards for their talented group, Boban and Marko of the Orkestar are father and son, which makes for a unique close-knit relationship within the ensemble. Marko, now the lead singer and arranger for the Orkestar, is only 20 years old, and has already broadened his horizons to acting in Serbia in “Gucha! The Distant Trumpet,” where he also plays most of the music on the accompanying soundtrack.

Boban I Marko Markovic Orkestar’s CD “Go Marko Go” recently hit stores this past November through their record label Piranha Music, and has since received praise from numerous media sources. The Jazz Review recently reviewed them, saying that their music is “...delightfully disorienting, scintillatingly surreal, like an aural mirage of something strange and beautiful. You think there’s nothing "new" and/or unusual to listen to "out there"? Guess again.”

If you think one live performance of this extraordinary ensemble isn’t enough, check them out at the Pitchfork Music Festival the day after (July 20th), only you’ll have to pay a small fee. On the other hand, the Ethnic Arts Festival is 150% free and features oodles and oodles of artist vendors and live entertainment! So don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes on July 19th and 20th to the year’s most culturally diverse festival!

This is Kristina signing out...