“A Gypsy consommé with a satanic pulse” – Garth Cartwright, Froots Magazine
Led by Gundula Stojanova Gruen, TATCHO DROM stage a vibrant show packed full of beautiful melodies and dancing rhythms from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Tatcho Drom means ‘True Journey’, in Rromanes, the language of Romany Gypsies and this motif is carried in each performance...
ABOUT TATCHO DROM
TATCHO DROM stage a vibrant show packed full of beautiful melodies and dancing rhythms from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Tatcho Drom means ‘True Journey’, in Rromanes, the language of Romany Gypsies and this motif is carried in each performance. Inspired by the charisma of Esma Redžepova, the virtuosity of Taraf de Haïdouks and the humour of Emir Kusturica. Tatcho Drom’s sound is guaranteed to lure listeners into a world of pain and joy, delivering an exciting and memorable performance.
TATCHO DROM are considered one of the UK’s leading exponents of Romany Gypsy music. Their broad repertoire includes traditional music from across Eastern Europe and the Balkans as well as band leader's Gundula Stojanova Gruen’s own original compositions their performance arrangements are vibrant and delicate, with subtle elements of baroque, jazz and Latin tied in. telling mysterious stories of both the travels and of the people behind the music.
The full 5-piece line-up includes violin/vocals, guitar, accordion, cello and percussion. A slimmer ensemble is the STRING TRIO of Tatcho Drom
“A Gypsy consommé with a satanic pulse” – Garth Cartwright, Froots Magazine
Past performances include the main stages of
Rhythm of the World and Crawley Festivals,
The Purcell Room, The Union Chapel as well as
intimate, un-plugged performances at the
Canterbury Festival and other unusual venues.
Tatcho Drom also deliver workshops in Balkan and Eastern European music. The workshops include singing, percussion, music and dance.
GUNDULA STOJANOVA GRUEN
VIOLIN & VOCAL
Gundula is a virtuoso violinist, singer and ethnomusicologist who has travelled extensively, researching Balkan Romany music and transcribing melodies that she learned first-hand from Romany and folk musicians.
JEREMY HALLIWELL
GUITAR & VOCALS
Jeremy is a founder member of Tatcho Drom. He first learned acoustic guitar at age 12 and went on to study classical guitar and renaissance lute. Later he attended masterclasses and courses with Gypsy guitarists Benjamin Czureja and Olivier Kikteff.
FRASER PARRY
CELLO& VOCALS
Fraser began receiving cello lessons from his father at the age of 8. He played with numerous bands, orchestras and ensembles throughout his teenage years in Glasgow, before studying music at the University of Sheffield, specialising in composition.
SASS HOORY
PERCUSSION
Sass graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Drums and Rhythm from the Academy of Contemporary Music in 2004. For several years Sass also has studied under Zohar Fresco, one of the leading pioneers of rhythm today
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ALEXANDAR IVANOV
ACCORDION
Alexandar was born in Rousse, Bulgaria. He began learning the accordion when he was 7 years old, developing an interest in folk music in his early teens. Later, he studied classical music and folklore...
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THE MUSICIANS
of Tatcho Drom
GUNDULA STOJANOVA GRUEN ~ VIOLIN & VOCAL
Gundula is a virtuoso violinist, singer and ethnomusicologist who has travelled extensively, researching Balkan Romany music and transcribing melodies that she learned first-hand from Romany and folk musicians.
Described by Songlines Magazine' Gundula as ‘a shining star in the UK’s Balkan music scene’, her unique performance style showcases both her vast technical ability, acquired through her intensive conservatoire training, as well as her in-depth understanding of musical traditions. Both elements are showcased alongside her colourful and charismatic personality, making every performance special. More info here
ALEXANDAR IVANOV ~ ACCORDION
Alexandar was born in Rousse, Bulgaria. He began learning the accordion when he was 7 years old, developing an interest in folk music in his early teens. Later, he studied classical music and folklore at the prestigious Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Alexandar enjoys playing music from all genres, as long as it is inspiring and touches people’s hearts. In Bulgaria, he, with various ensembles, performed at restaurants, weddings, christenings and other events. With his charismatic personality and exuberant virtuoso playing, he brings joyful energy and musicality to Tatcho Drom.
SASS HOORY ~ PERCUSSION
Sass graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Drums and Rhythm from the Academy of Contemporary Music in 2004. For several years Sass also has studied under Zohar Fresco, one of the leading pioneers of rhythm today
Alongside playing with Tatcho Drom, he has played with artists such as Sahana Bajpaie (India), Peyman Heydarian (Iran), Near East Collective (Greece) and 3YIN (Iraq). Sass has also played on a number of feature films such as ‘The Dead’ and ‘Never Let Go’, he also composed the theme to the popular Israeli comedy sitcom ‘Pini’.
Sass also founded ‘The Drummer Factory’ music school in London some 15 years ago, where he teaches students of all disciplines.
JEREMY HALLIWELL ~ GUITAR
Jeremy is a founder member of Tatcho Drom. He first learned acoustic guitar at age 12 and went on to study classical guitar and renaissance lute. Alongside playing Jacques Brel songs in a band with his older brother, Jeremy was also a member of a classical guitar orchestra led by Tom Kerstens.
He has followed his interest in Eastern European and Romani Music by attending masterclasses and courses with Gypsy guitarists Benjamin Czureja and Olivier Kikteff.
In addition to his work with Tatcho Drom, over the last 10 years Jeremy has pursued his interest in Eastern European folk music, performing with the London Gypsy Orchestra, The Magic Tombolinos, Delicatessen and the Trans Siberian March Band.
FRASER PARRY ~ CELLO
Fraser began receiving cello lessons from his father at the age of 8. He played with numerous bands, orchestras and ensembles throughout his teenage years in Glasgow, before studying music at the University of Sheffield, specialising in composition.
He was first introduced to European Gypsy music after accidentally crowd-surfing his way to the front of a Goran Bregović performance at the Sziget Festival in Budapest.
In addition to Tatcho Drom, Fraser regularly performs live improvised scores for two improvisational theatre companies - Glitch the Improvised Puppet Show and Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel.
