The Los Angeles Times calls Eastern Blokâs music ârelentlessly innovative work.â Extraordinary pan-cultural ensemble effortlessly blends classical and jazz music with the rich folkloric traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia.

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: World Fusion, WORLD: Eastern European



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The Los Angeles Times calls Eastern Blokâs music ârelentlessly innovative work.â Downbeat Magazine claims that âthe ensemble playing is often breakneck and consistently challenging.â Acoustic Guitar Magazine raves that Eastern Blok plays with âblazing virtuosity and sheer beauty.â After performing over 300 shows a year and selling more than 3,000 records, the band formerly known as The Goran Ivanovic Group has recorded a new album, changed their name, and has been successfully packing venues throughout the country since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2005. Eastern Blokâs âextraordinary pan-cultural ensemble effortlessly blends classical and jazz music with the rich folkloric traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia. The resulting music is as alluring as it is complex. Exotic Middle Eastern motifs merge gracefully with the evocative sounds of Eastern European Klezmer music. Beautifully conceived folk passages are followed by perfectly executed Mahavishnu-inspired pyrotechnics. The passion and urgency at which this group plays is heard in every note on this remarkable musical offeringâ (Minor 7th Magazine).

From appearing on NPR to headlining the World Music Festival, Eastern Blok works without borders and itâs reflected in their dynamic music. The bandâs âBlacksmithâs Danceâ was selected out of thousands of submissions to be one of three finalists in the 2005 John Lennon Songwriting Competition. This past year brought them much acclaim due to their performance on Chicago Public Radioâs âChicago Undercover.â

Eastern Blokâs sophomore release, Folk Tales, features compositions that juxtapose a somber and serious sound with a lively and elusive beat. The group features classical guitar virtuoso Goran Ivanovic, who teamed up with Doug Rosenberg on saxophone and flute, Matthew Ulery on bass, and Michael Caskey, a five-time Detroit Music Award and Downbeat Magazine Award winner, on drums. Listen to their mellifluous, intricate new compositions at www.easternblok.net.