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.."left">The_Tupan_derives from ancient times and was used by the Old Bulgarian tribes. It has been to the world since the 2nd Century AD. At that time the proto-Bulgarians were migrating from Middle Asia to the Balkan Peninsula. They reached the Caspian Sea and settled in the lands between it and the Black Sea. This musical instrument survived throughout the ages and is one of the most attractive traditional folk instruments in the area to this very day. It represents a cylindrical wooden shell with a diameter of 30-60cm and a height of 25-50cm, the top and bottom of which employ stretched heads. Wooden hoops with inserted over them in a zig-zag manner rope provide for relaxing and tightening of the heads. The tupan is hung belt-over-shoulder so as to remain in position at the height of the performer’s waist. He needs two wooden sticks to play with. One of them is bent at both ends and is called “Kiyak”. The other one is thin, about 40cm long resilient cornel-tree twig. The tupan can accompany the main melody, as well as offer solo performance.
Elitsa & Stoyan from concert in Istanbul (TURKEY): "Trepetnik"
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___Stoyan Yankoulov was born on September 10th, 1966. At the age of 8 he started taking piano lessons. At the same time
he showed interest for percussion instruments. Since young age
he was the base of musical bands as a drummer. He graduated
from the musical school "Lyubomir Pipkov" in Sofia and then from
the State Musical Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" majoring in
percussion instruments. He was accepted in the Big Band of the
Bulgarian National Radio. Yankoulov plays with rock and jazz
bands, with folklore ensembles and with jazz-rock and fusion
bands. He was guest starring on folklore and jazz festivals in
Bulgaria, Finland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, France, Turkey,
USA, Macedonia. He performed in the projects of Bobby McFerrin,
Okay Temiz, Kornel Horvath, Carlo Rizzo, Arabel Karajan, Enver Ismailov, as well as with Theodosii Spassov, Ivo Papazov, Milcho Leviev, Simeon Shterev, Yildiz Ibrahimova, Anatoli Vapirov,
Petar Ralchev, Ateshhan Yuseinov, Peyo Peev.
___Yankoulov is a laureate of the Crystal Lira award - 2004 in the
jazz category by the Union of the Bulgarian Music and Dance
Activists, Classic FM radio and the National Centre for Music and
Dance at the Ministry of Culture. He was awarded an honorary
diploma by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Austria for
his great contribution to the popularization of Bulgarian jazz
music and for his spectacular performance on the Panorama of
the First Bulgarian Jazz Music Week Outside of Bulgaria.
Bulgarian National Associations "Phenomena" - a collective
member of the International Academy of Informatization in UN
awards Stoyan Yankoulov with a golden statue for exceptional
contribution in the field of art and popularizing Bulgarian
culture all over the world.
___Stoyan Yankoulov records plenty of jazz, pop and ethnic music.
This has significantly influenced his unique playing style. He
manages to produce orchestra sound on percussion instruments.
Sometimes the listener has the impression that there is more than
one percussionist playing. "The acquisition of other techniques -
from bass, piano or other instruments is useful in this process.
For me to play means to communicate."
___Yankoulov breaks and stretches the traditional way of playing
drums, tupan, percussion by applying new techniques and
non-standard musical ideas. Combining authentic folklore with
new ways of expression with percussion instruments Stoyan
Yankoulov reveals the unlimited variety and emotional intensity
of the unique Bulgarian culture.
Mila Panayotova
tel.:+359 885527791
m.panayotova@gmail.com
___The Unique Bulgarian duet blend Bulgarian
authentic folk with jazz, ethno and world music.
They make the rind of music one associates with
outer space. The media have dubbed them as "the
shamans of Bulgaria" and "lords of the elements".
In 2007 BBC and Reuters described their music as
"a portal to other worlds".
___Elitsa Todorova sings in the legendary choir
The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices and Cosmic Voices
from Bulgaria. She has graduated a school for
authentic folk singing and has a higher degree in
percussion instruments. In 2003 she teamed up with
the best known Bulgarian drummer and percussionist
Stoyan Yankoulov. Their debut album Drumboy soon
became a bestseller.
___Stoyan
Yankoulov had devised a unique set of
percussion instrument. He has played together with
the legendary Bob McFerrin and other world famous
jazzmen. The duo's highly rhythms combined with
Elitsa's magic voice spin together beautiful
ethno-jazz tales. Elitsa and Stoyan present the
Bulgarian cultural heritage all over the world.
Their fans include Prince Albert of Monaco, the
Director General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura, the
Presidents of Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro
and Serbia, to mention only a few.
___In March 2007 Elitsa and Stoyan won in the
prestigious Eurovision world contest with their
song Water. In May 2007 in Finland over 300
million viewers worldwide ranked them and their
enchanting song Water fifth in Europe, thus making
them international stars.
___Besides reaching the hearts of millions with
their contagious rhythms and love they have
launched a water conservation campaign with their
awards winning song Water.
___The duo's next projects entitled Earth, Fire,
Air and Ether will be dedicated to the elements
and the protection of our planet.
___Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov have been
awarded the Gold Phenomenon statuette for their
exceptional promotion of the Bulgarian culture
worldwide.
___
Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan
Yankoulov were the participates in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest! Their amazing song "Voda" ("Water") brought to the country fifth place, a position Bulgaria had never reached before. After the Semi-Final where Elitsa and Stoyan gave a flawless and overwhelming performance, the Bulgarian percussion duet went out on stage in Hartwall Arena charged with positive energy and determined to present the Bulgarian grooves and rhythms in the best possible manner. Everyone could see the emotion in every stroke of the duet and the large hall erupted in applause enjoying the three minutes of the Bulgarian percussion show. Elitsa and Stoyan gave their best performance ever. Elitsa rocked the hall with her amazingly strong voice for her delicate body. What is more, she did it, unlike all the rest of the entrants, without the support of backing vocals. Elitsa and Stoyan looked comfortable and happy on stage, which quite naturally brought them the well-deserved position in the final ranking. Still a toddler in Eurovision, only in its third year in the Contest, Bulgaria managed to bring to the fore a song that wins, if not contests, at least the hearts of millions of lovers of excellent music. They came to you with rhythm and love!
HI Mr.Yankoulov...it's a great pleasure to be part in your beautiful music...love it!! Kopanitsa is PHENOMENAL!!! i try to dance in 11/16 i'ts funny...great composition and you sound awesome!!! really respect!!
World Village (UK) have announced the release of a new album by Bulgarian clarinet super star Ivo Papasov. The album, to be called Dance of the Falcon, will be distributed by harmonia mundi in the UK (released June 30th) and world-wide during the late spring and summer of 2008. Check www. myspace. com/danceofthefalcon
___Stoyan Yankoulov was born on September 10th, 1966. At the age of 8 he started taking piano lessons. At the same time
he showed interest for percussion instruments. Since young age
he was the base of musical bands as a drummer. He graduated
from the musical school "Lyubomir Pipkov" in Sofia and then from
the State Musical Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" majoring in
percussion instruments. He was accepted in the Big Band of the
Bulgarian National Radio. Yankoulov plays with rock and jazz
bands, with folklore ensembles and with jazz-rock and fusion
bands. He was guest starring on folklore and jazz festivals in
Bulgaria, Finland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, France, Turkey,
USA, Macedonia. He performed in the projects of 
