The passionate and vibrant sounds of Balkan brass music continue to fascinate worldwide audiences. The Eastern European brass bands have their origin in 19th-century Ottoman military bands. The Roma (Gypsy) musicians adopted these loud musical instruments to perform during dances and celebrations. Several new releases highlight this celebratory music genre.

The most spectacular and captivating of all the recent brass band recordings is Boban and Marko’s Gipsy Manifesto. The energetic father and son Serbian trumpet duo and their ensemble are some of the best brass band performers in Europe. They’ve had competitions and collaborations with their Romanian counterparts Fanfare Ciocarlia to see who’s best. Gipsy Manifesto takes the Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra’s style to a new level. The album features the dazzling fast brass band sound and good humor fans are accustomed to. One of such songs, titled ‘Turbo Dizel (Turbo Diesel) clearly describes the breakneck speed feel.

But there is much more in Gipsy Manifesto: ear catching Gypsy pop seeking radio and club popularity as well as unexpected innovative pieces where the flying brass ventures into elegant jazz, Gypsy funk, blues, Afro-jazz, and a delightful slow tempo piece. The album also contains a remix by one of the leading Central European DJs, Dunkelbunt.

The new influences come from Marko Markovic, Boban’s son. He’s 25 now. Marko was a child prodigy who started performing with his father’s orchestra when he was 13. He’s developed into a trumpet virtuoso who truly loves his musical instrument. Boban passed the orchestra’s baton to Marko a few years ago. Marko set a new path for the orchestra, respecting tradition while adding new musical influences.