Playing trumpets, saxophones, clarinet, baritones, helicons and percussion, Fanfara are based in the South East of England. They have studied with musicians from Zece Prajini (Romania), Kocani (Macedonia), Belgrade and Vladicin Han (Serbia). Merlin Shepherd regulary plays Eb clarinet and alto saxophone with Fanfara. Other band members are composers, band leaders and teachers. Many have played together for over 10 years, performing as far afield as Sydney Opera House, Borneo World Music Festival, Carnival in Cuba and throughout Europe. The Eastern European fanfaras and orkestars are unmistakable. The greatest of them include Fanfara Ciocarlia, Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar and Naat Veliov and the original Kocani Orkestar. Visit their websites for tour details and CDs. The musicians of the best brass bands are Roma with unmatched musicanship and technique and a tradition stretching centuries and continents. The instrumentation of these bands has roots in the military bands of the Ottoman Empire. To read more about the music and the Eastern European musicians visit the links page.