Radoslav Lorkovic

Radoslav Lorković is a Croatian-American pianist and accordionist whose fifty-year career has established him as one of folk music's most sought-after collaborators. Born in Zagreb, Croatia and raised in Iowa, he was on the path to classical mastery when, at fourteen, a friend taught him a blues scale—igniting a passion that would reshape his musical trajectory. Drawing from influences ranging from boogie-woogie to the polyrhythmic genius of Professor Longhair and James Booker, with blues at his core and touches of his classical training, Lorković developed a wildly inventive style that moves fluidly between keyboard and accordion. His 2020 induction into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame recognized five decades of artistry.

After his first touring gig with Bo Ramsey and the Sliders, Lorković became a fixture on recordings and stages alongside Odetta, Jimmy LaFave, Greg Brown, Richard Shindell, Ellis Paul, Dan Navarro, and Shawn Mullins. Most recently, he toured for three years with the Grammy-winning Asleep at the Wheel. Dubbed the "Croatian Sensation," he's legendary as the busiest musician at folk festivals such as the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and others, known equally for mainstage virtuosity and marathon jam sessions.

With eight studio albums and three live albums showcasing his blues, boogie-woogie, and New Orleans-inflected piano mastery, Lorković has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall and Italian castles to remote Alaska villages and the deck of yachts in the Adriatic. He delivers the same improvisational fire and spontaneous magic that have made him indispensable to songwriters and festivals worldwide. Based in Chicago and Hvar, Croatia, he continues touring internationally.