Sviraj...
...(Play on! and pronounced svee-rye with a rolled “r”) is shouted in encouragement when a tamburitza musician is playing with special energy and inspiration. It's also the name of one of the best known Slavic music bands in the United States. Childhood friends from Steelton, Pennsylvania, America's tamburitza heartland, and descendants of immigrants from Croatia and Serbia, Sviraj epitomizes the camaraderie, passion, and deep-rooted connection to family, culture and community in tamburitza music.
Tamburitza is the great multi-ethnic instrumental and vocal music tradition of the central Balkan peninsula that found its deepest roots among Croatians, Serbians, Roma (Gypsies), and Hungarians and it reflects the deep soul, emotion and melancholy of these peoples. The group also plays music from other southern European countries including Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. Let Sviraj take you to another world!
Sviraj is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by the Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
Funding may be available to support performances in Wash. DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV & the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Omnium Recording Artists
The members of Sviraj are life-long friends who grew up together in an ethnically diverse steel town in Pennsylvania. They learned the music of their culture and others through many, many performances, jam sessions and encounters with folk musicians from the ethnic communities in the United States and the Balkans.
Lenny Tepsich (Cello, Bass, Vocals) of Serbian and Croatian heritage, has performed for over 20 years. He has been featured at Balkan music and dance camps and international folk festivals. Also an accomplished tamburitza cello player, he adds the counter-melodies that give the music richness and texture. Lenny is also nationally-known as "Mr. Music", performing songs for children.
Chris Radanovic (Bass, Vocals) of Serbian descent, has been performing for over 15 years. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Performance from the University of Iowa. He has performed a wide range of genres from classical and musical theater to jazz and popular music. Chris also currently performs with the Central Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, the Center Stage Opera Company, and the St. Lawrence Adult Tamburitzans, all located in the Harrisburg, PA area.
Mike "Misko" Furjanic (Violin, Tamburica, Vocals) of Croatian descent, has been performing for over 25 years. As a child, Mike was taught to play the violin by his mother, who instructed him in several eastern European fiddle styles. Mike is currently the music director of Kolo Grupa "Marian" of Steelton, Pa., and he has performed with Croatian folk ensembles throughout the US, Canada, and Croatia. Mike has played and recorded with groups that perform styles of music ranging from classical to country and folk to rock.
Danilo Yanich (Bugarija, Accordion, Vocals) of Serbian descent, has performed for over 25 years. He is on the teaching staff of Balkan Music and Dance Camps and past president of the national board of the East European Folklife Center. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs & Public Policy and has published articles on Balkan politics. He is the director of the Graduate Program at the School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy, University of Delaware .
Tambura wizard Jerry Grcevich performing with Sviraj at Phelps Mansion, First Night celebration, Binghamton, NY
Sviraj has performed across the United States for many types of audiences and in many settings, including folk music radio shows and events in ethnic communities throughout the country.
Here is a selected list.
The Library of Congress
Smithsonian Institution
Honolulu Academy of the Arts
Kent State University Folk Festival
National Public Radio
Public Broadcasting System
Folk Alliance World Music Showcase
Concert of Colors, Detroit
Philadelphia Folklife Center, International House
West Chester University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Delaware
Pennsylvania State University
Carnegie-Mellon University
George Mason University
171 Cedar Arts Center, Corning, NY
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Napredak Center, San Jose, CA
Slavic Music Festival, Phoenix
The Focal Point, St. Louis
Slavonic Center, San Francisco
Bethlehem Musikfest
Baltimore Folk Music Society
The Pennsylvania State Museum
IronWorld Discovery Center, Chisholm, MN
Tamburitza Association of America Folklore
Society of Greater Washington
Pennsylvania League of Cities
Philadelphia Folksong Society
Pennsylvania Heritage Commission
American Society of Ethnomusicologists
Susquehanna Folk Festival
Cherry Tree Music Co-Op
Kaleidoscope Folk Festival
Longwood Gardens
First Night Celebration, Binghamton, NY
May 31, 2008 |
Private PartyUniversity of Delaware |
June 1, 2008 |
Annual PicnicSt Nicholas Serbian Orthodox ChurchSerb ParkHarrisburg, PAFor information emailchris@sviraj.com |
July 26, 2008 |
DanceSteelton Tambura LoversSt Lawrence Croatian LodgeSteelton, PAFor information emailchris@sviraj.com |
August 1, 2008 |
75th Anniversary BanquetSerbian-American Club of SteeltonHoliday Inn on Lindle RdHarrisburg, PAFor information emailchris@sviraj.com |
August 2, 2008 |
75th Anniversary PicnicSerbian-American Club of SteeltonSerb ParkHarrisburg, PAWith Special Guests Sarena from ClevelandFor information emailchris@sviraj.com |
September 25-28, 2008 |
Pittsburgh Tamburitza ExtravaganzaTamburitza Association of AmericaPittsburgh, PAFor information go towww.zivilatambura.com |
October 24-26, 2008 |
Anniversary WeekendSt George Serbian Orthodox ChurchDuluth, MNFor information go tohttp://stgeorgeduluth.org/ |
May 9, 2009 |
Private PartySteelton, PA |
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One to RememberA once-in-a-lifetime performance recorded LIVE at International House in Philadelphia with special guests Vlad Popovich, Jerry Grcevich & Zvonko Bogdan. This double-cd set contains the ENTIRE concert with three videos of selected songs plus lyrics & translations. Sviraj Ciganine • Bekrija • Cesto Mi Dragi Urani • Ti Si Moja Sreca • Proplakala Zumbul Ajsa • Misirlou • Niska Banja • Ne Diraj Te Mi Ravnicu • Me Volivla • Jovano Jovanke • Ramo Ramo • Tesko Mi Je Za To Patim Ja • Fato Mori • Nekom Sa Svim Treci • Fijaker Stari • Govori Se Da Me Varas • Temerav • O Jelo Jelo • Grli Me Ljubi Me • Zoro Zorica Moja • Skardarlijo • Evo Banke • Nema Lepse Devojke • Cacak • Malo Kolo • Romanian Rhapsody & Orange Blossom Special and the comments, snap & crackle of a LIVE setting. |
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CiganineSelected for Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Hit List, June 2001 Ti Si Moja Sreca • Djelem, Djelem • Aj Doslo Vreme • Makedonsko Devojce • Gypsy Kolo • Golden Earrings • Swing • Sviraj Ciganine • Bimo Kolo • Zlatan Prsten • Lence Bre Duso • Dok Sviram Gitaru • Bitola • Ajde Jano (with guest vocal by Tosh Yanich) • Nema Te Vise, Alija • Ne Klepeci Nanulama • Stacy's Recenitsa • |
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Balkan Jam IIBekrija • Cororo • Cifte, Cifte • Cesto Mi Dragi • Izgubljeno Jagnje • Veliko Kolo Beograde • Sitno Kolo • Zapevala Sojka Ptica • Mel's Sest • Jedno Dete Malo- Pittsburgh Chaser • Grli Me, Ljubi Me • Moram Da Idem • Samjotissa/Yerakina- Gajde Kolo • Madjarica • Imate Li Pari • Rece Cica • Gajde CDs Sold Out, Cassettes Still Available |
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Balkan JamGajde • Niti Sam Ja Gradjanka • Bul Bul Mi Poje • Stevanovo Kolo • Osman Aga- Jovano, Jovanke • Evo Banke • Tera Lenka • D Kolo (U Sest) • Ramo, Ramo • Misirlou • Djuro's Invertita • Malo Kolo • Cacak • Zikino Kolo |
Order Now! |
PricesOne to Remember double-cd - $20 - Limited Supply AvailableCiganine CD - Sold Out but Still Available on iTunesAll orders add $2 s/h1. Send email to danilo1@sviraj.com2. Or call 302/ 239-10633. Or mail a note indicating your order & payment to:1106 Kelly DriveNewark, DE 19711
Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number & email address.Make checks payable to Danilo Yanich/Sviraj. |
Performing both originals and classics with grace and verve, the band captures the genre's unique rhythmic feel--the bass and bugarija (a chording instrument) lay down a bouncy groove while the Gypsy-influenced fiddle and passionate three-part vocals float elastically over the top.
"Hit List", Acoustic Guitar magazine, June 2001 Acoustic Guitar Central: Reviews
The opening track explodes from the speakers with a pulsing energy. These guys obviously love what they are doing. So will you.
Dirty Linen, 2001
This festive recording treats listeners to the soul of multicultural tamburitza music. Ciganine is a must for anyone who collects East European and Gypsy music. The veteran tamburitza band whips up a stellar recording, with not a song to skip.
PopMatters Music Review, 2001
Ciganine is filled with a music containing so much passion it is impossible not to let it work its magic upon you.
The Green Man Review, 2000
The best of the Balkans, an utterly peaceful synthesis of all the cultures played with energy and love. Come prepared to dance to this irresistible trio.
City Paper, Philadelphia, 1996
Sviraj's harmonies are exquisitely in tune...They are smooth, romantic and haunting.
City Paper, Philadelphia, July 1993
The music is wide-ranging in its appeal...with its wide emotional range from exquisite and delicate beauty to wild passion.Whether vocal or instrumental, the music immediately touches the soul.
Baltimore Folk Music Society, Nov. 1990
Sviraj plays the bejabbers out of Balkan and East European folk music.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 1989
Sviraj...
1106 Kelly Dr. Newark, DE 19711
302.239.1063
or
1350 Norton Dr. Steelton, PA 17113
email Sviraj...
