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Pianist Markelian Kapedani Releases "Balkan Piano" on Red Records

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Markelian Kapedani was one of the most emblematic exponents of the Albanian social and cultural renewal in the years following the fall of the Berlin wall.

One of the basic and peculiar aspects of his art is the extraordinary ability to create a wonderful fusion between the great formal tradition of the Western Classic Music and the folk elements of the Balkan Music through a very energetic jazz imprint.

Kapidani was the performer (with his The Song of Jazz quartet) of the first, historical, public jazz concert in Albany in 1992, July 21st.

Kapidani's artistic production combines the sophisticated language of contemporary music with a rehabilitation of the classic form and of the improvisation, so typical in jazz music. Kapedani belongs to a very old aristocratic family: The surname Kapidani comes from captain, leader, his ancestors, the Gjomarkaj, were, for several centuries, nobles from the land of Mirdizia (Mirdit) that they bravely defended from the Ottoman invasors attacks.

Kapidani carried on his studies in Albany just while his country was the most impenetrable nation among the East Communist ones. Kapidani started his music studies when he was four years old under his fathers guidance. His father Gjon (John), composer and orchestra conductor, was a scrupulous and excellent teacher towards him.

Kapidani took the maximum Piano Degree when he was just 18 years old and, four years later, he ended his Composition studies with honors. Immediately he was asked to work in the Albanian Radio and TV and, in a very short time, he became the most famous composer in his country. His record Balkan Piano produced by Red Records, came out in May 2008. The particular and original kind of music added to the special technical ability of the performer are the reason for the increasing success of Markelian Kapidani in Italy.

In November 2008, in fact, Kapidani was invited to Faenza in MEI (Meeting Independent Labels) and, on that occasion, he received the Multi Culti Award for renewer of Jazz Music in Italy. His CD has received widespread success from the most important Italian newspapers and music magazines.

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