ROMANENO PROJECT - PORTRAIT
Romaneno Project is the name of the band of blind Bulgarian Roma singer and accordionist Neno Iliev. The band were formed by him in 2010 and brought out their first CD “Taj Mahal” in 2013. Roma music is skilfully mixed with elements of jazz on the CD. Neno Iliev’s singing is extremely memorable and absolutely unmistakeable. He also plays accordion on the album. Guest vocalist Bulgarian singer Dessi Dobreva is featured on two tracks. The song “Nanaj parare” on the album is a cover version of the Bobby McFerrins classic “Don’t worry, be happy” sung in Romani.
Neno Iliev became known through his work with Bulgarian accordionist Martin Lubenov. On the latter’s debut album “Dui Droma”, Neno Iliev contributed the vocals to many of the tracks and thus became first known.
Romaneno Project have performed at many festivals at home and abroad, including the Worms Jazz Festival in Antwerp and the Heidelberg Gypsy Festival. Romaneno Project is a live band through and through, regularly wowing audiences.
Current members:
Neno Iliev – vocals
Misho Yosifov – trumpet
Boris Iliev – sax
Willy Stoyanov – trombone
Boris Taslev – double bass
Vasil Spassov – piano
Venzi Radev – drums
Misho Yosifov – trumpet
Boris Iliev – sax
Willy Stoyanov – trombone
Boris Taslev – double bass
Vasil Spassov – piano
Venzi Radev – drums
Web:
Text: Robert Lippuner / Gypsy Music Network
Translation: Jamie Davies
