Balkan Riddles is the latest project of Zhivko Vasilev and Harmelogic Duo – a musical journey through stories shaped by tradition, rhythm, and imagination. Each composition draws inspiration from real Balkan legends – riddles not to be solved, but to be felt.
The music blends lyrical improvisation, intricate grooves, and rich acoustic textures, inviting listeners into a space where melody becomes memory and rhythm becomes ritual. At its core, the project explores the timeless spirit of the Balkans through the interplay of kaval, piano, and percussion, creating a sonic landscape that resonates with both heritage and innovation.
It unfolds as a soundscape where centuries-old traditions resonate through modern harmonies, shaping music that feels both rooted and timeless.
Zhivko Vasilev (kaval, compositions) is a Bulgarian musician whose innovative approach blends Balkan folk with jazz, classical, and electronic influences, creating music rooted in storytelling and sonic exploration. Praised by Jazz in Europe for “taking the listener on a journey through the Balkans, the Orient and American jazz,” his work has been called “one of the most interesting instrumental discoveries of the year” by Jazz.sk and “a whirlwind global tour packed into one thrilling hour” by All About Jazz.
Harmelogic, the Slovenian duo of pianist Kris Korat and percussionist Damir Mazrek, fuses contemporary jazz with Balkan rhythms, Mediterranean textures, and African influences. Their interplay of lyrical melodies and elevating rhythms has been described by Jazz Lent Festival as “original compositions moving between haunting lyrical melodies and elevating rhythms and beats.” Together, they form an international ensemble that transforms Balkan folklore into contemporary musical storytelling.
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