TONI KITANOVSKI & GREG HOPKINS PROJECT (MKD/USA)
feat. CHERKEZI ORCHESTRA
Born in Skopje, Toni Kitanovski started his musical education with Dragan Gjakonovski - Spato in 1979. He graduated at Berklee College of Music. As a soloist, bandleader, composer and arranger with his trio and orchestra he performs at many festivals, concerts and clubs. He has collaborated with many highly regarded musicians including Greg Hopkins, Charlie Mariano, Gustavo Aguilar, Vinny Golia, Steve Bernstein, Matt Dariau and Nat Su. In conjunction with the Skopje Jazz Festival label, Toni released his debut CD “One for Charlie” (1998) and the live album with Zoran Madjirov “Duet” (2001). His current project is with the gypsy brass bend Cherkezi. In 2006 they released their album “Borderlands” under the Enja records label.Performer, composer, and arranger Greg Hopkins began his professional career in 1965, freelancing with his trumpet in the Detroit area for such acts as the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Gladys Knight until 1969, when he graduated Michigan State University. Hopkins has also performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, the Supremes, Burt Bacharach, Nancy Wilson... He has been teaching at Berklee College of Music since 1974 as well as doing concerts, festivals, jazz club dates and clinics all over the world.
