A sonic journey through the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and new musical identities
The project was born from the encounter of musicians from diverse countries, traditions, and artistic
paths, united by a shared vision: to explore the musical heritage of the Balkans and transform it into
a contemporary, open, and ever-evolving language.
In NUBRAS, Eastern European sounds intertwine with classical music, jazz, and Southern Italian
folk traditions, creating a vibrant sonic universe capable of crossing geographical and cultural
borders while maintaining a strong identity.
Eight voices, eight stories, one evolving musical organism: a string quartet led by violinists Giulia
Anita Bari and Carla Mulas González, with Igor Legari on double bass and Rachel Blueberger on
cello, interacts with the powerful voice of Roxana Ene—a Romanian-born, Italy-based artist of
Rom heritage—alongside Giorgio Gadotti on alto sax and ney, Nino Conte on accordion, and
renowned Italian world music percussionist Giovanni Lo Cascio.
As in nature, where biodiversity generates strength and resilience, Nubras builds a soundscape
where differences do not overlap but transform, becoming shared living material. In a time marked
by the resurgence of nationalism and rigid identities, the ensemble embraces complexity: a musical
space where diversity coexists, संवादues, and is recognized without hierarchies.
The release date—May 21—is no coincidence: a symbolic moment to reflect on cultural diversity as
a shared heritage and a fundamental resource for peace and development.
The album includes deep references to Rom culture, with two special tributes:
Omaggio a Kurtov, dedicated to Bulgarian zurna virtuoso Samir Kurtov, and Dzelem Dzelem, an
arrangement of the Romani and Sinti anthem.
The name Nubras derives from the Arabic Nibras ( براس % ن), meaning “lantern” or “guiding light”—a
fitting symbol for a project that illuminates new musical paths.