DRAGONflies – Balkanpop & Jazz

In the organizer's words:

The band DRAGONflies was founded in Leipzig in 2023 and brings together seven musicians to form an ensemble that stands for musical diversity, creative openness and cultural exchange. Artists from Great Britain, the USA, Germany, Guatemala, Israel and Bulgaria contribute their different musical backgrounds and personal stories. This international collaboration gives rise to a multi-layered sound that consciously transcends the boundaries between genres and cultures.

At the heart of the project are the co-founders: Bulgarian opera singer Marta Yaneva and pianist, composer and arranger Paul Foulkes. With her expressive voice, Marta Yaneva shapes the characteristic sound of the band. At the same time, her musical background forms the artistic basis of the current program: Inspired by her homeland, traditional Bulgarian folk melodies flow into the repertoire and can be experienced in a new musical context.

The arrangements are by Paul Foulkes, who combines the band's various stylistic influences to create a unique sound. His arrangements open up new perspectives on well-known melodies and create a balance between tradition and modern sound language.

Since 2025, the English musical singer, actor and theater director Tom Bailey has joined the ensemble as a co-singer. He has lived in Leipzig since 2007 and is an integral part of the local cultural scene. With his stage presence and his experience in musicals and theater, he brings an additional narrative and emotional dimension to the concerts of DRAGONflies.

The group's musical spectrum ranges from jazz, musicals, pop and rock to folkloristic elements. This diversity is also reflected in the instruments: piano, violin, cello, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, bass guitar and drums combine to create a lively, dynamic overall sound.

DRAGONflies stand for more than just a concert. Their performances create spaces for encounters and dialog in which different musical traditions come together and a common artistic expression emerges.

Price information:

Tickets are available for 12/15 euros in the VVK (excl. VVK fees) at Culton Ticket and TixforGigs, B.O.: 16/20 euros. VVK runs until 17:00 on the day of the event, after that remaining tickets are always sold at the B.O.!