Paprika

Paprika is a London-based ensemble with members from Romania, Serbia and the UK. The group performs music that brings together traditional Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy and classical influences. It also appears under the name Paprika Balkanicus.

Activity and repertoire

The band tours internationally across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. After touring widely in 2008 and 2009, it develops its line-up and repertoire, with a focus on reviving rare and lost Balkan traditional material through new arrangements alongside original compositions.

Performances and festivals

Paprika features regularly at WOMAD festivals, including events in the UK, Spain, the Canary Islands, Abu Dhabi and WOMADelaide. It also appears at the Royal Festival Hall Ballroom, the Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Glastonbury Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe and Serbia’s EXIT festival.

Training, collaborations and awards

The musicians are graduates of the Royal Academy of Music and Berklee College of Music. Collectively, they perform at Wigmore Hall in the presence of the Princess Royal, work with Nigel Kennedy and Gabriel Yared, and win prizes at international competitions including the BBC/Guardian Composition Competition.

Membership

The group includes Sabrosa of Sabrosa Sound System.