Description
Enver Izmaylov is a revered world, folk, and jazz guitarist hailing from Ukraine, acknowledged as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. A true innovator, Enver introduced the unique technique of “tapping” to electric guitar playing, mesmerizing crafting melodies by simultaneously playing with both hands on the neck, akin to a keyboard. His music embodies a rich tapestry of jazz, Mediterranean and oriental folklore, classical harmony, and breathtaking virtuosity. Raised in Fergana city, Uzbekistan, as a Crimean Tartar, Enver infuses his compositions with a diverse array of influences from Eastern, Uzbek, Tartar, Moldavian, and Bulgarian traditions. Experimenting with sound, Enver’s guitar transforms into an array of instruments, from lute to synth, cimbalom to percussion kit, and sitar. His compositions, characterized by “nonsquare” time signatures and temperamental melodies, captivate audiences worldwide. Combining Crimean Tatar traditional music with Turkish, Uzbek, Balkan, classical, and jazz elements, Enver has graced numerous folk and jazz festivals across Europe and the USA, earning multiple prestigious awards for his groundbreaking contributions to music. In 2024 Enver embarks on his first big North American tour where he is going to headline a major world music festival Jetlag, perform in multiple iconic folk and jazz venues across the country with his program “String across continent: guitar odyssey through genres and cultures”, give guitar master classes as well as collaborate with other folk and world musician.
Fugu Dugu is a female-led Eastern European gypsy punk rock band inspired by the fields of Moldova, the mountains of Romania, railroads of Ukraine and Russia, with a touch of Klezmer and Americana. Born in Chicago in 2017, Fugu Dugu blends original compositions and timeless Eastern European songs. Led by Grammy-winning violinist Olya Prohorova and singer-songwriter Mark Adkison, the band’s style is deeply rooted in Eastern European folk traditions. Performing in Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, and English, Fugu Dugu’s music has been likened to “female Gogol Bordello.” Following collaborations with Oleg Skrypka, the “God Father of Ukrainian rock music,” who called Olya “a genius violinist”, Fugu Dugu is set to play the main stage at Jetlag festival in 2024 and embark on a USA tour with their debut album “Lunatic Parade.”