Considered by many to be one of the most important trumpeters in the Balkans, Boban Markovic is leader of the Boban Markovic Orkestar and a multifaceted musician who has managed to take the idea of the brass band to new realms. Hailing from his birth city of Vladicin Han in Serbia, Markovic has built a career as the leader of one of the most award-winning brass bands in Europe. The orchestra has had a 17-plus year life, playing shows in nearly 30 countries (including the United States, Israel, and Russia) -- even delaying a performance by Oasis! -- and has released ten CDs of material thus far. Their first album, Hani Rumba, saw release in 1997, and the most recent, Go Marko Go! was in stores in 2007. In some cases, Markovic's talent on trumpet has been awarded with such vigor that he has declined to compete further in certain contests. He has also continued his legacy in the Gypsy community, with son Marko taking on full-time performance duties alongside his father. ~ Chris True