DAMIR MAZREK

Damir Mazrek, born on Oct. 8th 1979 in Maribor, is an independent artist who started his musical journey in 1996 in Nino Mureškič's workshops where he learned about percussion instruments and rhythms of Western Africa and the Balkans. He continued his path and learning by exploring the varied percussionist cultures of the world. He has studied with acclaimed musical masters in various percussion and musical workshops at home and abroad. He has also attended various musical campuses and participated in individual research projects. On his learning path and in his studies in Spain, France, the Netherlands, FYR Macedonia, Serbia, etc., he encountered masters, such as pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Hakim Ludin, Carlo Rizo, Jathinder Thakur, Kevin Jones, Dragan Dautovski, Bajsa Arifovska, Milaim Destanovski, Gyan Siing, Maxwell Wright, Thomas Guei, Kachito, Antonio Reyes, Oskar Porina, Čerim Haliti, Kevin Jones, etc. He also attended seminars at the Georges Momboy school, (Paris, France), the Amor de Dios school (Madrid, Spain), school for traditional Macedonian instruments (Skopje, FYR Macedonia) and several other seminars. He has acquired knowledge about the wealthy heritage of the Western African polyrhythmic traditional forms of Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. In Spain he explored the rich rhythmic culture and structure of flamenco, which represents an important branch in the world of percussions. In the Balkans he explored original uneven rhythms that are specific to the region and unique in the field of rhythm.

He is particularly active as an accompanying musician in dance performances, for in addition to flamenco he also accompanies African, Oriental and modern dance and performances for children.

He is participating in numerous projects and is an active member of several musical groups that are regularly creating and performing music. He has also cooperated with dancers in dance shows and performances. He is a member and co-author in the following musical groups:
- Cana Flamenca
- Dazhbog Ensemble
- Essauira Project
- Kaneo trio
- Afir Bafir
- Lafi
- Trio Puro

He conducts percussion workshops and workshops for children.

More at: www.myspace.com/mazrek