Vlatko Stefanovski: Muzika i gitara su moj "leb i sol"

Language & Communication Network Verbalisti   / verbalisti   Verbalisti Interview: Vlatko Stefanovski Skopje, Macedonia September 2011 Vlatko Stefanovski was born in 1957 in Prilep / Macedonia in a theatrical family. He started playing guitar at the age of 13. In his late teens he formed the group LEB I SOL which became one of the most important names in the music scene of former Yugoslavia. The band played a particular style of fusion music - a blend of Macedonian traditional irregular rhythms and contemporary rock. LEB I SOL released 14 albums and toured around the world. Recently Stefanovski has developed a very successful solo career. Already his first solo release 'Cowboys and Indians' (1994) showcased his various interests, from deep ethno roots to ambiental moods and classic blues. After the benefit project 'Sarajevo' (1996) for the UNICEF Fund for Children in Need he formed his electric trio and released the first Vlatko Stefanovski Trio CD in 1998. Among other releases Stefanovski recorded 'Krushevo' (1998) with well known guitarist Miroslav Tadic and made the music for the Turkish film 'Journey to the sun' directed by Yesim Ustaoglu which won two awards at the Berlin film festival in 1999. In the last several years he has played and recorded all around the world with many top artists like Bojan Z., Theodosii Spassov, Gibonni, `Manu Katche, Toni Levin and many others. His recent work also includes music for films, theatre and ballet. His latest release 'Thunder from the Blue Sky' is a magnifi-cent blues record with guitar legend Jan Akkerman (Focus) contributing his part and perfectly complementing the almost dizzying playing of the 6-string virtuoso from Macedonia. The extensive joint tour of the two exceptional gui-tarists through Southeast Europe in summer and autumn 2008 was an absolute triumph. Stefanovski is well known for his incredible guitar technique. He creates rich soundscapes with imagination, fluency and ease. His Vlatko Stefanovski Trio has recently played in Macedonia, in the USA, Canada, UK, Austria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Bosnia i Hercegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria etc. In 2007 Stefanovski was honoured a doctorate honoris causa in the fields of art at the University St. Kiril and Metodij / Skopje. He lives in Skopje/Macedonia with his family and owns a well-equiped project studio named 'Esoteria Sound Studio'.