Introducing
Mara!

This unique world music ensemble blends traditional vocal and instrumental repertoire from many countries with modern jazz improvisation. The resulting fusion, coupled with Mara Kiek's extraordinary voice, has thrilled audiences and brought acclaim from critics and music lovers around the world.

Mara! has found a way to narrow the path between pure folk and jazz. The music draws on traditional repertoire, arranged with elements of jazz performance practice, yet it maintains a quality of authenticity. Improvisation features heavily in Mara!'s arrangements.

Touring internationally since 1984, the ensemble has completed nine European and two Canadian tours, performing concerts and radio/television broadcasts in 15 countries. In 1996, Mara! won the ARIA award for best Australia world music release, and was a nominee in the same category in 1997. In recent years Mara! has toured extensively in South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria for Musica Viva. Mara! has been performing for Musica Viva In Schools since 1988.

"I don't know of any other example where folk and jazz go together so well. All elements faultlessly fall into their place, (and) coupled with the virtuoso musical spectacle that they offer, their fusion is a wonderful experience." - De Standaard (Belgium) 1999

For more information on this group, its instruments as well as additional activities, visit The Viva Zone, the Musica Viva In Schools website for middle years students at www.musicavivainschools.com.au

Daichovo Docheno: Traditional Bulgarian

Listen to Daichovo Doncheno (audio clip 2.2MB)
Daichovo Doncheno activities (pdf 142KB)
Daichovo Doncheno activities (doc 1.1MB)