...(Play on! and pronounced svee-rye with a rolled “r”) is shouted in encouragement when a tamburitza musician is playing with special energy and inspiration. It's also the name of one of the best known Slavic music bands in the United States. Childhood friends from Steelton, Pennsylvania, America's tamburitza heartland, and descendants of immigrants from Croatia and Serbia, Sviraj epitomizes the camaraderie, passion, and deep-rooted connection to family, culture and community in tamburitza music.
Tamburitza is the great multi-ethnic instrumental and vocal music tradition of the central Balkan peninsula that found its deepest roots among Croatians, Serbians, Roma (Gypsies), and Hungarians and it reflects the deep soul, emotion and melancholy of these peoples. The group also plays music from other southern European countries including Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. Let Sviraj take you to another world!
You can also find Sviraj on:
Omnium Recording Artists
Lenny Tepsich (Celo, Dumbek, Vocals) of Serbian and Croation descent first played tambura with the St. Nicholas Junior Tamburitzans in Steelton in 1970. He played with a variety of tambura groups including the Balkan Brothers and Jorgovan. He's been featured at balkan music dance camps and international folk festivals around the country. Lenny is also nationally recognized as singer/songwriter and children's performer Mr. Music®. In addition to motivating kids through music, he is able to share his culture with his young audiences.
Chris Radanovic (Bass, Vocals) of Serbian descent, has been performing for over 15 years. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Performance from the University of Iowa. He has performed a wide range of genres from classical and musical theater to jazz and popular music. Chris also currently performs with the Central Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, the Center Stage Opera Company, and the St. Lawrence Adult Tamburitzans, all located in the Harrisburg, PA area.
Mike "Misko" Furjanic (Violin, Tamburica, Vocals) of Croatian descent, has been performing for over 25 years. As a child, Mike was taught to play the violin by his mother, who instructed him in several eastern European fiddle styles. Mike is currently the music director of Kolo Grupa "Marian" of Steelton, Pa., and he has performed with Croatian folk ensembles throughout the US, Canada, and Croatia. Mike has played and recorded with groups that perform styles of music ranging from classical to country and folk to rock.
Danilo Yanich (Bugarija, Accordion, Vocals) of Serbian descent, has performed for over 25 years. He is on the teaching staff of Balkan Music and Dance Camps and past president of the national board of the East European Folklife Center. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs & Public Policy and has published articles on Balkan politics. He is the director of the Graduate Program at the School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy, University of Delaware .
June 8, 2021 |
Hear from HarrisburgZoomSponsored by the American Folklore Society |
July 25, 2021 |
PicnicSerbian American Club of SteeltonSteelton, PAFor information email Chris Radanovic |
September 23-26, 2021 |
TAA ExtravaganzaTamburitza Association of AmericaCleveland, OHFor more information! |
October 23, 2021 |
DanceAmerican Folklore SocietyHarrisburg, PAFor more information! |
November 13, 2021 |
Harvest DanceHoly Resurrection Serbian Orthodox ChurchLebanon, PAFor information email Chris Radanovic |
Kolo |
KOLO, the ancient and beautiful dance tradition of the Slavic people; brought to America by our Balkan ancestors and given to us to preserve and cherish... first we crawl, then walk, then KOLO ...and life is good! Samotissa/Gerikina • Gajda • Seljanćica • Orijent • Čaćak • Bitola • Śestorka • Oj Makedonko • Krići Krići Tićek/Desinećki • Gm Śest • Veliko • Niśka Banja • Rechenitsa • Op Sa • Alunelo • Stani Mome For these tamburaśi there is nothing better than when people dance! |
Zumba Zai |
By the early 1900's, our Balkan ancestors brought the customs and traditions established over centuries to America. The songs and dances taught to us as children are a reflection of our history and our connection to family, friends, and community. Our instruments, handed down by great tamburasi of the past, were made and played by close friends in America and Europe. Heritage cannot be expressed with words alone; its soul is in the music... Bisenije • Śest • Dok Palme Njiśu Grane • Opa Cupa • Jam Duri Duri • Moj Dilbere • Poskoćica Kolo • Kaleś Bre Andjo • Čelo Chaser (Tepsich) • Śote • Pilem • Vlajna • Tino Mori • Zumba Zai Zumba Zai is a song we learned from our dear friend and mentor, well-known Romanian fiddler George Caba. It is a story of a young man who hears music in everything around him…it fills his heart and soul and he begins to dance...much like tamburaśi! We’ve included some of the session where George teaches us the song. We’re blessed by his spirit and generosity………… for you George! Translations |
One to Remember | A once-in-a-lifetime performance recorded LIVE at International House in Philadelphia with special guests Vlad Popovich, Jerry Grcevich & Zvonko Bogdan. This double-cd set contains the ENTIRE concert with three videos of selected songs plus lyrics & translations. Sviraj Ciganine • Bekrija • Cesto Mi Dragi Urani • Ti Si Moja Sreca • Proplakala Zumbul Ajsa • Misirlou • Niska Banja • Ne Diraj Te Mi Ravnicu • Me Volivla • Jovano Jovanke • Ramo Ramo • Tesko Mi Je Za To Patim Ja • Fato Mori • Nekom Sa Svim Treci • Fijaker Stari • Govori Se Da Me Varas • Temerav • O Jelo Jelo • Grli Me Ljubi Me • Zoro Zorica Moja • Skardarlijo • Evo Banke • Nema Lepse Devojke • Cacak • Malo Kolo • Romanian Rhapsody & Orange Blossom Special and the comments, snap & crackle of a LIVE setting. |
Ciganine | Selected for Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Hit List, June 2001 Ti Si Moja Sreca • Djelem, Djelem • Aj Doslo Vreme • Makedonsko Devojce • Gypsy Kolo • Golden Earrings • Swing • Sviraj Ciganine • Bimo Kolo • Zlatan Prsten • Lence Bre Duso • Dok Sviram Gitaru • Bitola • Ajde Jano (with guest vocal by Tosh Yanich) • Nema Te Vise, Alija • Ne Klepeci Nanulama • Stacy's Recenitsa • |
Balkan Jam II | Bekrija • Cororo • Cifte, Cifte • Cesto Mi Dragi • Izgubljeno Jagnje • Veliko Kolo Beograde • Sitno Kolo • Zapevala Sojka Ptica • Mel's Sest • Jedno Dete Malo- Pittsburgh Chaser • Grli Me, Ljubi Me • Moram Da Idem • Samjotissa/Yerakina- Gajde Kolo • Madjarica • Imate Li Pari • Rece Cica • Gajde |
Balkan Jam | Gajde • Niti Sam Ja Gradjanka • Bul Bul Mi Poje • Stevanovo Kolo • Osman Aga- Jovano, Jovanke • Evo Banke • Tera Lenka • D Kolo (U Sest) • Ramo, Ramo • Misirlou • Djuro's Invertita • Malo Kolo • Cacak • Zikino Kolo |
Order Now! |
PricesKolo - $15 (see below for ordering instructions)Zumba Zai CD, One to Remember double CD, and Ciganine CD - Available only online on iTunes and through Omnium.All orders add $3 s/h per CD ordered1. Email Chris Radanovic2. Or call (717) 303-36113. Or mail a note indicating your order & payment to:Svirajc/o Chris Radanovic80 Church RdEtters, PA 17319
Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number & email address.Make checks payable to Chris Radanovic. |
email Sviraj...