It isn’t an easy task to be not only the successor of a famous musical dynasty but a torch bearer for young Roma musicians. However Barbora Botošová is a unique example, both proudly continuing in the footsteps of her legendary grandfather (Ján Berky Mrenica) and presenting her own personality and dazzling musicianship.

A versatile violin virtuoso, experienced in traditional and classical music and also involved in Balkan music and jazz improvisation, Barbora founded and led her first ensemble, Bohémiens, at the age of 21, and became a respected female “primas” (band leader).

She has gathered a group of international musicians and friends from Balkan, Poland and Slovakia around her to present her way of perceiving the diversity of music. They have created an exceptional debut album, “Colors of my Soul” (2019, Music Fund). Consisting of her own compositions and arrangements of Slovak and Roma folk songs, in conjunction with her international guest musicians it reveals her personality full of fire, passion, imagination, charm, and above all virtuosity. Barbora has performed at Cross Culture Festival/Warsaw, at International Roma day festival 2019/Gent Belgium and extensively in Slovakia and neighbouring countries.

Band:
Barbora Botošová – lead violin
Vladimír Homola – cimbalom
Eugen Botoš – piano
Michal Šelep – double bass
Juraj David Raši – drums

Guest musicians:
Agata Siemaszko – lead vocal
Marko Kukobat – accordion
Zhivko Vasilev – kaval

Colours of My Soul (Hudobný fond, 2019)

The music of Barbora was broadcasted in Radio programs:
RADIO BEOGRAD
MUNDOFONIAS