You're reading: Balkan band face-off

Serbia and Romania are about to face each other in a battle, although one more likely to end in applause than bloodshed.

Two of Europe’s best brass bands, Boban and Marko Markovic Orchestra from Serbia and Romanian Fanfare Ciocarlia (on the photo), will try to top each other off in a brass showdown for the title of the Balkan brass king.

And you get to be the jury!

The Romanians are bringing an army of 12 participants, who proudly embody the gypsy tradition with free-spiritedness, while also paying respect to Turkish and Jewish influences. One of the highlights of the night is the saxophonist firing up the crowd by improvising on a whim. No scores, is the band’s rule.

The Serbian Boban and Marko Markovic Orchestra put maestro trumpet skills above personal relationships. Marko had to practice 10 hours a day to get into his father Boban’s band, which had by then existed for 12 years.

Along with gypsy ethno, the musicians add some archaic jazz and Balkan rhythms to the mix.

Mon, Jan. 30, 8 p.m., Crystal Hall, 1 Dniprovsky Spusk, 288-5069, get tickets at www.parter.ua, karabas.com, bilet.open.ua, tickets: Hr 250-350.