| Biography | Founded by Gundula Gruen, a German-born Serbian violinist, ZiG are known for their performances of Gypsy music. The band comprises Zivorad Nikolic from Serbia (accordion), Oliver Baldwin (Balkan Bass) and Rastko Rasic from Serbia (darbuka).
German-born violinist Gundula could well have been raised in the Balkans, for her playing imparts the true soul of Gypsy music, bursting with colour and passion, an explosion of energy
She started iG in 2004, and drives this group with her spirit and motivation.
The iG Duo, Gundula on violin and ivorad on accordion, are the heart of this group. They perform a wonderful and virtuoso repertoire of traditional Gypsy, folk and klezmer pieces from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Strongly influenced by ivorad's native Serbia where people are "born with love for their music", it is very much complemented by Gundula's passion for Gypsy music.
On occasion they are joined by double bassist Oliver Baldwin, who with his Balkan Bass injects extra verve and energy to the group the iG Trio.
The iG Quartet is completed with Serbian darbuka player Rastko Rasic, who with his powerful, exotic rhythms turns the performance into a true Balkan feast.
iG have performed concerts, festivals and other events in London and around the UK, and have also appeared on television and radio. Recent sessions include a Channel 4 recording for the Tiger Aspects documentary How Music Works and a live session for the BBC programme Roma Rokker Radio.
They take their audience on a voyage of discovery through Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Listeners are enchanted by the wild rhythms, deeply touching melodies, thrilling complexity of the music - but it's the passionate performance and the rapport between these musicians that brings across such amazing joy and positive energy.
As a special feature iG can expand to include the Dancer Beverley for an enchanting show of soulful and fiery Eastern European delight. |