Džambo Aguševi Orchestra

Oriental grooves

Not many musicians can cause a euphoric dance sensation in quite the way that Balkan brass players can. As long as the ingredients are perfect: the right Eastern funk groove, virtuoso jazz solos, and pulsating drumbeat. And not to forget the right podium presentation, as demonstrated by such gypsy orchestras as Fanfare Ciocărlia (Romania) and Boban Marković Orkestar (Serbia). 

Funky tiger of Macedonia 

Things quietened down for a while in the land of Balkan brass, but they’re starting to liven up again thanks in part to the Džambo Aguševi Orchestra from Strumica in North Macedonia. ‘Brasses for the Masses’ is the name of their latest record, released in 2020 by the Berlin connoisseurs Asphalt Tango. Bandleader and trumpeter Džambo Agušev (1987), ‘the Funky Tiger from Macedonia’, was 11 when he joined the family orchestra of his uncle Kočo, a legendary trumpeter who now, in turn, plays with Džambo.

And this ‘orkestar’ has amply earned its spurs on the live circuit: Džambo & Co have triumphed at the Guča Festival and Roskilde Festival, among others. These players go further than a bit of turbo brass: their music is packed with intelligent forays into jazz, and they’re even fond of a helping of hip-hop and rock, as shown by their association with the Bosnian punk-rock sensation Dubioza Kolektiv. Dutch première!

Line-up

Džambo Agušev - Trumpet, vocals

Kjerem Jusinov - Trumpet

Kočo Agušev - Trumpet

Sunaj Mustafov - Trumpet

Ali Zekirov - Tenor horn

Džafer Fazliov - Tenor horn

Mustafa Zejnelov - Tenor horn

Šukri Dževatov - Tuba

Orfej Čakalovski - Drum 

Redzep Nedjatov – Drums