YouGo5 - BalkanFusionBand

BalkanFusionBand je mednarodna zasedba študentov jazza s celovške akademije Gustav Mahler Privatuniversität für Musik, ki združuje balkanske melodije z energijo in improvizacijsko močjo jazza.

Ker prihajamo iz različnih dežel - Slovenije, Hrvaške, Srbije in Avstrije - na oder prinašamo raznolikost naših kultur ter jih prepletamo z univerzalnim jezikom modernega jazz-a.

Veselite se priredb in avtorskih skladb, polnih strasti, virtuoznosti in balkanskega ritma!

BalkanFusionBand is an international ensemble of jazz musicians, studying on Gustav Mahler Privatuniversität für Musik in Klagenfurt, combining Balkan melodies with the energy and improvisational power of jazz.

With roots in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Austria, we bring the richness of our cultures to the stage and fuse them together through the universal language of modern jazz.

Look forward to covers and original compositions full of passion, virtuosity, and balkan groove!

Glasbeniki / Musicians

Sophie Höller - Double Bass (ITA)

Manca Krivec Habjan - Saxophone, Clarinet, Compositions (SLO)

Jurica Bajević - Trumpet (CRO)

Petar Rogulj - Drums (CRO)

Jakob Napotnik - Piano (SLO)

Delavnica z Omerjem Avitalom / Workshop with Omer Avital

BalkanFusionBand with Omer Avital, after we played a concert of his compositions.

Našo inspiracijo in ljubezen do balkanske glasbe je še podžgal obisk vrhunskega basista in skladatelja Omerja Avitala, ki smo ga decembra 2024 gostili na akademiji. Igranje kompozicij pod budnim očesom skladatelja, ki jih je ustvaril, je bilo izjemno in zelo poučno doživetje, ki je močno vplivalo tako na naše igranje in interpretacijo, kot tudi na pisanje lastnih kompozicij. Nekaj Omerjevih kompozicij zdaj predstavlja obvezen del našega repertoarja.

Our inspiration and love for Balkan music were further ignited by the visit of the renowned bassist and composer Omer Avital, whom we hosted at the academy in December 2024. Playing his compositions under the watchful eye of the composer himself was an extraordinary and highly educational experience that deeply influenced not only our playing and interpretation, but also the way we write our own compositions. Some of Omer's pieces have now become an essential part of our repertoire.

Urban-Echo Klagenfurt, June 2025

Excerpt from Hafla

Beginning of our original piece: Omeriada

Warm June nights brought about a wonderful music festival in Klagenfurt, where young bands are given the opportunity to introduce their music to the public. We enjoyed the open stage and the relaxed atmosphere of Kardinalplatz as we entertained the audience until the late-night hours. Thank you, UrbanEcho, for hosting us! Hopefully, we’ll get another chance to play for you next year, too!

Waldarena Klagenfurt, June 2025