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Eastern Blok

EASTERN BLOK

The Los Angeles Times calls Eastern Blok’s music “relentlessly innovative work.”

Downbeat Magazine claims that “the ensemble playing is often breakneck and consistently challenging.”

Acoustic Guitar Magazine raves that Eastern Blok plays with “blazing virtuosity and sheer beauty.”

After performing over 300 shows a year and selling more than 3,000 records, the band EASTERN BLOK 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.

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.

EASTERN BLOK’s “extraordinary 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 offering” (Minor 7th Magazine).

From appearing on NPR to headlining the World Music Festival, EASTERN BLOK works without borders and it’s reflected in their dynamic music.

The band’s “Blacksmith’s Dance” 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 Radio’s “Chicago Undercover.” EASTERN BLOK has even been selected to be featured in the upcoming major motion picture, “Wanted,” starring Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie.

EASTERN BLOK’s sophomore release, "Folk Tales" features compositions that juxtapose a somber and serious sound with a lively and elusive beat.

Listen to their mellifluous, intricate new compositions at www.easternblok.net and www.myspace.com/easternblok

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328
Album Review

Eastern Blok: Folk Tales

Read "Folk Tales" reviewed by Budd Kopman


After the whirlwind experience of Goran Ivanovic Group (Balkan Song Records, 2006), the group, which has remained stable, changed its named to Eastern Blok. Incredible as it might seem, Folk Tales is tighter and more complex than the first album, while retaining the earlier energy and abandon. While virtuoso guitarist Goran Ivanoic remains the nominal leader of the group and main composer, Doug Rosenberg (reeds), Matt Ulery (bass) and Michael Caskey (drums and percussion) are further integrated ...

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34

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo, Madeleine Peyroux, Eastern Blok, Marcus Lewis, Miles Davis Jazz Festival, and More

Jazz This Week: Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo, Madeleine Peyroux, Eastern Blok, Marcus Lewis, Miles Davis Jazz Festival, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The week's schedule of jazz and creative music in St. Louis offers a wide variety of sounds and sights, including Balkan-tinged guitar, funk trombone, fusion harp, saxophone-playing twins, a festival featuring St. Louis musicians paying tribute to our area's most famous jazz icon, and much more. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, guitarist Goran Ivanovic and his band Eastern Blok are coming down from Chicago to play a show at Pop's Blue Moon celebrating the release of their new CD ...

106

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: "A Night of Jazz Greats" with Clark Terry; Eastern Blok; Free Outdoor Concerts; and More

Jazz This Week: "A Night of Jazz Greats" with Clark Terry; Eastern Blok; Free Outdoor Concerts; and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Vacation season is winding down, and there are a number of noteworthy jazz and creative music performances over the next few days in St. Louis, including several free concerts. Let's take a look at the shows in chronological order:Tonight, saxophonist Willie Akins and his group will give a free concert as part of a city-sponsored series at O'Fallon Park.On Friday evening, the Chicago-based ensemble Eastern Blok will perform in the Saint Louis Art Museum's Grigg Gallery ...

118

Performance / Tour

Eastern Blok to Play Free Concert on Friday, August 28 at Saint Louis Art Museum

Eastern Blok to Play Free Concert on Friday, August 28 at Saint Louis Art Museum

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The “pan-cultural ensemble" Eastern Blok (pictured) is returning to St. Louis to play a free concert at 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 28 in the Saint Louis Art Museum's Grigg Gallery. The performance is part of the Museum's “Art After 5" series, which features free concerts from solo and ensemble musicians on the fourth Friday of each month.Based in Chicago, Eastern Blok “blends classical and jazz music with the rich folkloric traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia." The ...

118

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Godfathers of Groove, Eastern Blok, Dixie Daredevils, Paul Demarinis, and More

Jazz This Week: Godfathers of Groove, Eastern Blok, Dixie Daredevils, Paul Demarinis, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week brings another eclectic mix of jazz and creative music performances to St. Louis. Here's a look at some of the highlights happening over the next few days:Tonight, the all-star soul-jazz ensemble Godfathers of Groove begin a four- night stand at Jazz at the Bistro. Comprised of veteran organist Reuben Wilson (pictured), drum legend Bernard Purdie and guitarist Grant Green Jr., the Godfathers emphasize the bluesy, funky side of jazz, offering a 21st century take on the ...

Folk Tales Eastern Blok | Self Published (2007) By Budd Kopman

After the whirlwind experience of Goran Ivanovic Group (Balkan Song Records, 2006), the group, which has remained stable, changed its named to Eastern Blok. Incredible as it might seem, Folk Tales is tighter and more complex than the first album, while retaining the earlier energy and abandon.

While virtuoso guitarist Goran Ivanoic remains the nominal leader of the group and main composer, Doug Rosenberg (reeds), Matt Ulery (bass) and Michael Caskey (drums and percussion) are further integrated into the group sound. This sound is a mix of Balkan folk music and some Klezmer, with the jazz aesthetic of improvisation wrapped in an impossibly high-energy drive that also brings in very heavy bass lines.

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Folk Tales

Self Produced
2008

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