Leb i sol

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Leb i sol (Macedonian Леб и сол) is a Macedonian jazz fusion group founded in the 1970's by Vlatko Stefanovski (guitar), Bodan Arsovski (bass guitar), Nikola Dimuševski (keyboards) and Garo Tavitijan (drums). Tavitijan ceded the drumwork to Dragoljub Djuricic for the Sledovanje recording sessions and onwards.

Leb i Sol recorded their last CD "Live in New York" in 1991. "Leb i sol" is a traditional greeting which literally translates to "bread and salt". It is often used as an expression of spite or determination; e.g. "I will eat bread and salt if I have to, but I will not give in!". Their music combined elements of rock, jazz fusion and local ethnic music. As the band matured, the jazz influences became less obvious. However, in concert, Leb i sol performances of jazzed-up and lengthy versions of traditional ethno-folk classics such as Jovano Jovanke or Aber Dojde Donke, were often received with great enthusiasm and cheer.

Leb i sol were very popular in the 1970s and 1980s and, while not selling as many records as some pop and folk acts, where very well known and respected and often sold-out venues in most of the larger towns in the former Yugoslavia. The first two albums are often considered foundational, while most are diverse enough to be, at least in part, accessible to a fairly wide audience. The influence of ethnic and folk music of southeastern Europe and more specifically of the Republic of Macedonia are recognizable in the use of odd meters (5/4, 7/8) and non-traditional scales (e.g. the Phrygian dominant scale). While all the musicians were fairly accomplished, Vlatko Stefanovski is frequently regarded as an exceptional guitar virtuoso.

Further information: Music of Southeastern Europe and Music of the Republic of Macedonia