Bands that play weddings generally are not revered in America’s music culture. But in Bulgaria, wedding music is renowned–and four masters of the form will show off their chops Friday at the Old Town ...

“Bulgarian bebop” may seem like an odd combination of elements, especially as a description of an Eastern European wedding music band. And when the five members of the Yuri Yunakov Ensemble walked on ...

For “Together Again,” clarinetist Ivo Papasov has brought together the core members of his original “Wedding Band,” Trakiya, which first formed in the 1970s. If the term “Wedding Band” conjures images ...

To lots of Americans I suppose the phrase “Bulgarian wedding music” sounds like part of a punch line, but if you’ve heard the stuff—it’s one of the most exhilarating and technically demanding eastern ...

Speaking personally, I’m so divorced from my roots that wedding music brings to mind nothing more than a squiffy aunt throwing embarrassing shapes on the dancefloor to 1970s sounds. They do these ...

In the 1970s and ’80s many Bulgarian musicians lived in fear of serving prison time: as part of a depressing communist-era attempt to foster national unity, ethnic music, particularly Turkish and ...

Simply sign up to the Life & Arts myFT Digest -- delivered directly to your inbox. According to a Bulgarian informant, Ivo Papasov’s stage banter included the claim that he “can still make babies”. To ...

You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. PORTLAND – Celebrating the September release of their newest collaboration, ...

When this Turkish-speaking Gypsy from Bulgaria was declared the surprise winner of a Radio 3 World Music award two years ago, he handed it back, picked up his clarinet and stunned the auditorium with ...

WEDDING BANDS DON'T have an enviable reputation in many western countries. Most post-nuptial parties plump for discos and pre-recorded music. What wedding bands there are tend to be known more for ...

IN PRESENTING MUSICIANS like African singer Salif Keita and Bulgarian clarinettist Ivo Papasov, the Arts Festival is doing more than serving up colourful slices of cultures rarely seen in Hong Kong.