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Kočani Orkestar is a renowned Balkan brass band hailing from the city of Kočani in the Republic of Macedonia. Founded by trumpet player Naat Veliov, the group has experienced numerous line-up changes over the years while maintaining the freshness and spirit of its early days. After Naat Veliov and his brothers departed, the ensemble has continued under new leadership. The band's musical style, known in their region as Romska Orientalna Musika (Oriental Gypsy music), blends various influences, including traditional dance music from Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia, as well as Turkish/Bulgarian rhythms characterized by asymmetrical time signatures like 7/8 and 9/8. Their music also incorporates elements of rumba, salsa, and even Indian film music. Reflecting the multicultural and multilingual essence of the Balkans, Kočani Orkestar's lyrics are sung in Macedonian, Romani, and a Turkish dialect spoken by the local Gypsy community.

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