Masters of Bulgarian folk music, Reni Pavlova-Bojilov, George Gaydov and Ann Bermingham, form an outstanding trio performing authentic music from this centuries old tradition. Their name, “Zhiva Voda”, which in translation means living, magical water truly represents the nature of their deeply moving and unforgettable performances.
Reni evokes the spirited, yet haunting sounds of this tradition with her powerful, soaring voice. As a soloist and choir member with the internationally acclaimed “Philip Koutev” Bulgarian State Folklore Ensemble from 1996 to 2001, Reni toured in Bulgaria, Europe, the U.S.A and former U.S.S.R. Her voice was highly appreciated and she was invited to record songs from her repertoire at the Bulgarian National Radio. Along with her singing with “Philip Koutev” Ensemble, Reni worked with adult and children's choirs in her hometown of Mramor and thoroughly researched Bulgarian traditions and explored ways of preserving them for the future.
Ann is a performer, choir leader and community musician well known in Australia’s folk circles. Ann’s love of Eastern European vocal music has led her to sing with the now occasional trio ‘Bella Balkana’ since 1995. In 1999, she traveled to Bulgaria for a study tour where she learned a number of Bulgarian folk songs and dances. As part of the 2000 Brisbane Festival, Ann led rehearsals with a choir of local performers for Home Land production with Sydney's Mara! and the Martenitsa Choir.
George is a virtuoso performer and master of the clarinet, saxophone and two traditional Bulgarian instruments –gayda (bagpipe) and gudoulka (string instrument). As a professional musician in Bulgaria, he worked with orchestras, dance groups and singers, and toured overseas performing at concerts and festivals. In Australia, George plays music from all over the world including Greek, Turkish, Macedonian, Serbian, gypsy and Italian with a remarkable ease and high professionalism, but undoubtedly his forte remains the Bulgarian folk music.
Trio “ZHIVA VODA” has charmed Brisbane and Australia’s audiences at a variety of festivals and concerts including:
QLD Multicultural Festival 2004 and 2005
The National Folk Festival – Canberra –2004 and 2006;
Woodford Folk Festival – 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005;
Arts Queensland Kutlour National Touring Program - 2005;
“Roses and Spices” self-produced concert - 2005;
Bellingen Global Carnival - 2004;
The World Beat Festival – Brisbane - 2004;
Brisbane Music Festival, Sacred Music Concert - 2005
The Brisbane’s Sacred Music Festival - 2005;
BEMAC’s City Hall concerts - 2004 and 2008;
BEMAC’s Cultivart concerts – 2004 and 2007;
BEMAC’s Macedonia and Beyond’ World Music Café - 2002;
Access Arts Theatre production ‘Kato Senkya: Like A Shadow - 2003;
Live radio and other performances.
I'm really looking forward to hear your music on your MySpace-site, for I'm very fond of Bulgarian music, especially the singing style, the gaida, gadulka and clarinet... When I was a 10 year old boy, I heard a Bulgarian folk music band in my town in Belgium, and that's the reason why.
