Ivo Papazov (Ibryama)

Ivo Papazov, or as he is widely popular – Ibryama, was born in the town of Kardjali in 1952. He is one of the creators of modern Balkan music and one of the world’s best clarinet players. Founder of a whole movement, later called “wedding music” – a mixture of Bulgarian and Balkan traditional folk motives with modern elements. In 1974, he became the leader of a folk ensemble. Gradually, he built his own unique style, combining elements of jazz, as well as of the various music traditions of the Balkans – Bulgarian, Macedonian, Gypsy, Greek, Turkish, etc. His work has changed the face of Bulgarian and world music and has created new ways for its development. In 2005 he won the audience award of the prestigious World Music on Radio 3 BBC English and dedicate it to his countrymen. In the same year he became the face of Bulgaria for the first advertisement of the country to be played on European TV channel Euronews.