The double bass player Martin Gjakonovski is well known to the visitors of our festival. He has recorded over 230 albums with numerous international artists and is one of the most sought-after freelance double bassists in Europe. In addition to his usual practice as a sideman, in recent years Martin has devoted himself to composing, as well as to renewing the musical legacy of his father Dragan Gjakonovski-Špato, the founder of the Big Band of RT Skopje. This fascinating project is one of the main reasons why he has been invited to this year’s festival.
Martin has assembled an impressive crew: Roman Babik, a great pianist who successfully composes music inspired by Balkan beats and is the leader of the wonderful Urban Wedding Band; Paul Heller, one of Europe’s most highly acclaimed saxophonists, a member of the two-time Grammy Award-winning WDR Big Band, who has been praised by legends such as Joe Zawinul, Michael Brecker, etc., and has worked with some of the world’s greatest names, such as Johnny Griffin, Duško Gojković, Jimmy Cobb, Eddie Gomez, Vinnie Colaiuta, Biréli Lagrène, Bill Evans, Al Foster, Adam Nussbaum and Steve Swallow; and last but not least – Martin’s son Levin Gjakonovski, a drummer who has successfully participated in numerous music projects and is building a fascinating career. This great team has been working together for years, and the blend of Macedonian rhythm and their outstanding artistic skills guarantees an unforgettable musical evening.