Momento Cigano Extended

Momento Cigano is a project of guitarist Teo Collori, deriving from the gypsy swing tradition. Collori founded the group in 2015 shortly after completing a jazz degree at the Carinthian State Conservatorium in Klagenfurt. Initially a trio with two guitars and bass, the group has since gradually expanded its line-up. Its lively, danceable, melodic music draws inspiration from Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli but is entirely original. The group has released several albums, including collaborations with the RTV Slovenia Big Band and Vlado Kreslin. Critics single out its distinctive sound, which speaks directly to the listener, as well as the players’ sense of rhythm and energetic stage performance. Momento Cigano Extended features an expanded line-up in which guitarist Collori is joined by violinist and arranger Matija Krečič, who is active in jazz, film music and classical music, violinist Ana Mezgec, who works with Slovenia’s leading orchestras and on original projects, and cellist Ema Krečič Rode, who trained at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. The strings are complemented by violist Petar Njegovan, a member of several chamber ensembles who collaborates with orchestras in Slovenia and Croatia, while clarinettist Matej Kužel brings his experience of the wider concert and festival scene and his collaboration with the RTV Slovenia Big Band. Metod Banko contributes vocals and joins Collori on guitar, double bassist Jošt Lampret combines classical training with an openness to a range of genres, while the rhythm is reinforced by Klagenfurt-trained drummer Pavel Čebašek.