Municipale Balcanica

Municipale Balcanica is more than a known entity in European jazz scene (34th International Jazzfestival Saalfelden)
l'ensemble cree un espace d'expression vraiment original (Trad Magazine)
Yes, this band did have the courage to record Hava nagila in such a way that it gets high above all the thousands of other versions I heard during the past 35 years. (FolkWorld)
it is already considered one of the emerging giants of the world-fusion (The Baltic Sea Cultural Centre)
When they fire up on all cylinders, they still provide exhilarating excitement (fRoots)
Plaisir assure(Cultur Jazz)
Der Goldene Orsino geht heute an Municipale Balcanica für ihre Produktion Road to Damascus(Roland Altenburger querfunk)

The warmth of the traditional south Italian Banda heated up by the typical frenzy of Balkan attitude. Municipale Balcanica is groove, speed, energy and joyful, electric madness. Balkan, klezmer, rock, jazz and tradition are melted in an unpredictable, poetic view of a powerful, colorful future sound. Horns and guitars, drums and Mediterranean percussions design a wider frontier for the world fusion.

BIOGRAPHY
Municipale Balcanica was founded in 2003 by Nico Marziale, Paolo Scagliola, Raffaele Piccolomini and after a substantial live activity, publishes his first album in 2005 with the Italian label Ethnoworld. The debut album is "Fòua", in which the MB starts a lively and profound synthesis of Tzigane, Yiddish Klezmer and Eastern Europe sounds and the most radical and warm music from its homeland, Puglia, in southern Italy. The cd has been soon known not only in Italy but also and especially abroad where the reinterpretation of some famous tunes of Yiddish tradition made MB a new reality in the international world music scene. The prestigious journal International Folk World, assessed MB' s 'Hava Nagila' as "one of the best interpretations heard among thousands of last three decades." The approach to the ancient melodies are original and distinctive, because each musician has a very personal and peculiar musical culture. The entire brass section of the MB, for example, started its musical experience in the traditional marching band from the town of origin, which is why its expression is so powerful and vivid in the traditional Europeans tunes, and why it explodes in exciting solos included in the new arrangements. Similarly, the rhythm section gave new strength to the tracks, supporting this involving and incisive way of playing old tunes. The result is surprisingly compact, and gives new expression and new meanings to these songs. So the influences of rock, jazz and more free testing are involved in enchanting melodies now exotic, now frenetic and crazy. In 2006 the MB remains with its final and definitive line up, and continues to increase its credibility mainly thanks to its overwhelming and impressive LIVE performances. So the band has been appreciated and in sophisticated Jazz festival and in crazy Folk gatherings too in Italy, Germany, France, Holland, Portugal, Turkey, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Poland supported by Italian Institute of Culture and European Union. In 2008, after 400 live gigs, evolving its sound without distorting it, Municipale Balcanica publishes ROAD TO DAMASCUS for the label FELMAY, a product made of a few, vital, traditional songs and many other original tunes, some more rooted with a classical taste, others with the courage of the experimentation. In 2009, Municipale Balcanica collaborating with the Italian ambassador in Turkey and the Italian Institute in Ankara, gave three concerts in the Turkish capital. In 2010 MB re-started a project with Kocani Orkestar called “Between Shores” and played with them in Tavagnasco Rock Festival, Ravenna Jazz, Berlin Jazz Fest, Foggia Teatro del fuoco and Puglia Sounds. In 2011 after 500 live gigs MB played In Italy , Austria and Portugal and a new featuring with Marko Markovic. In June 2012 MB released the new album Offbeat developed with the support of Puglia SOUND. The record met critical acclaim: "This is amazing and unique intoxicating music. I love it. (FOLKWORLD) "and" A great test of Municipale Balcanica in this project demonstrated its ability to disengage from various styles and languages. (Valerio Corzani – Alza il Volume - Rai Radio3). "In November 2012 MB won the competition MB of La Repubblica XL as the most voted band from Puglia. In 2013 MB tour travel to Austria, Brazil, France, Hungary(Sziget). At the end of 2013, MB began a collaboration with Roy Paci leading her to make several concerts. "A lot of curiosity and expectations for the special musical encounter between the leading balkan group of Italian nationality, Municipale Balcanica and eclectic Roy Paci, born of mutual need to share with the public the joy and energy of this feat. IN 2015 MB music were used by 'athlete gold medal at the Olympic Games in Nanjing Irina Annenkova after that already in 2006 had been used by Alexandra Merkulova. In 2015 Municipale Balcanica played two dates in London(Balkan Beat London 6Th Aniversary) and played a concert with Manu Chao. In 2017 MB played two gigs in Scotland and played with Iggy Pop. In the world Murga Xicohtl in Mexico, the Trocamba Matanusca from Spain, the goEast Orkestar from Brazil and Turkey Oğuzhan Uğur play regularly tracks of MB.