Bios and Background
VOICE OF ROMA
Voice of Roma is a California based non-profit that promotes the rich cultural heritage of Roma dating back over 600 years, through festivals, workshops, performances and educational presentations. Voice of Roma also works to heighten awareness of human rights issues faced by Roma in today’s world, and to support efforts by Roma to build and maintain their communities, and to improve their lives. In its 21-year history, Voice of Roma has supported many educational programs about Roma as well as several national tours of esteemed artists, such as the final American tour of superstar vocalist Esma Redzepova who passed away in 2016. In 2020 Voice of Roma and Harvard University’s FXB Center for Health and Human Rights collaborated on a pioneering research endeavor: Romani Realities in the US: Breaking the Silence, Challenging the Stereotype.
Sani Rifati, founder and president of Voice of Roma, is a producer, tour manager, dance instructor, and veteran Romani activist. Born in 1962 in Kosovo in a traditional and vibrant Romani neighborhood, he emigrated to the US in 1993 and now lives in Berlin. He has worked to produce VOR’s annual festivals for over 25 years and has tirelessly educated the public about the richness of Romani folk arts. Rifati has also taught numerous Romani dance workshops, given lectures throughout the US and Europe, and organized summer seminars in Romani music and dance.
Carol Silverman is award-winning Prof. Emerita of Cultural Anthropology/Folklore at the University of Oregon, VOR Board member, and music co-curator for RomArchive.eu. She has supported Romani culture in the Balkans and the American and West European diasporas for 40 years as a researcher, teacher, activist, and performer. She teaches Balkan singing internationally and toured and recorded extensively with the Yuri Yunakov Ensemble. Her 2012 book, Romani Routes: Cultural Politics and Balkan Music in Diaspora won the Book Prize from the Society for Ethnomusicology.
FANFARE ZAMBALETA
Fanfare Zambaleta (roughly meaning crazy street party with brass) is an eight piece Balkan Brass band specializing in spirited music of the Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek and especially the Romani people. Combining a love of the classic brass bands of the past with the modern sounds coming out of the Balkans, Fanfare Zambaleta brings an irresistible blend of old and new to get you dancing! They've learned from some of the greats including Demiran Ćerimović, Džambo Aguševi Orkestar and Nizo Alimov (of Kočani Orkestar) and are now embarking on a new journey to write original tunes inspired by their deep love of the music.
MERAKLI - RUMEN SALI SHOPOV
Bay Area-based Balkan Ensemble Merkalii & Rumen Sali Shopov pick you up and spin you around with their energetic Balkan and Romani dance tunes! Rumen “Sali” Shopov is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and director of Ork. Merkalii, his student ensemble. Raised in the vibrant Turkish/Muslim/Romani neighborhood of Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria, he was immersed in Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek, Turkish, Serbian, and Romani music, and also served as concertmaster of the Bulgarian folk ensemble Nevrokop. Since emigrating to the US in 2001, he has performed and taught in numerous Bay Area venues as well as international music camps and has received support from ACTA and the Berkeley Civic Arts Commission.
STEVENS FAMILY - "GYPSY BOYS"
Stevens Family “Gypsy Boys” is a third generation Kalderash family band composed of George, virtuoso on guitar, and Paul on accordion. They perform throughout California, the Northwest, Nevada, New York and Florida for Romani weddings, baptisms, and calendrical celebrations. The group formed in the 1980’s when grandfather Vine, a renowned mandolinist and leader of the Los Angeles Romani community recruited his grandchildren. Learning in the oral tradition, they blend styles from Manush Jazz to Serbian, Greek, and Russian music. George is also a co-founder, frontman, and songwriter for the Seattle based Rumba Kings.
SONGS of ŠABAN BAJRAMOVIC
Features Sani Rifati on vocals performing the repertoire of the legendary Serbian singer who wrote hundreds of songs. He is joined by Italian violinist Marco Ghezzo, who studied for many years with Roma in Csavas, Transylvania. Dusan Ristic on violin hails from a distinguished Serbian Romani family from Valjevo and emigrated to California in 2003. He founded the Amala Romani Music School and is also a visual artist who exhibited at the Venice Bienalle Romani Pavillion.
