Appreciated worldwide as a multi-instrumentalist virtuoso, composer and singer of unprecedented caliber, Slobodan Trkulja has established himself on the music scene as a charismatic performer whose sonorous and emotional singing, alongside his music mastery, captivates audiences around the world. To them, he is a genius who plays more than 20 instruments with great skill and whose daring music carries a timeless message. Recognized by critics as “one of the most beautiful male voices of the Balkans” (NRC Handelsblad), he has built an international reputation for blending deep Balkan traditions with modern styles, creating a unique sound that bridges ancient and contemporary worlds.

From an early age, Slobodan showed extraordinary musical talent, teaching himself the clarinet at the age of 11 before mastering more than 20 instruments. He later graduated with highest honors (cum laude) from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, earning a Master of Music in Jazz, Saxophone and Composition. 

In 1997, he founded Balkanopolis, a groundbreaking ensemble dedicated to reimagining and modernizing the ancient musical heritage of Serbia and the wider Balkan region. Their performances are known not only for their powerful sound (and Slobodan’s hairdo) but also for their theatrical and visual staging, combining music, costumes, and lighting to create an immersive cultural experience.

His style blends Balkan tradition, Byzantine and Slavic chant, throat singing, symphonic orchestrations, jazz improvisations, art-pop and electronic soundscapes. All part of the sound called – modern tradition. This unique artistic vision has brought him recognition not only in Europe but also in China, Russia, the Middle East and the USA, where his concerts attract thousands of fans.

In January 2023. Slobodan made his TV debut in China appearing on New Years special 2023 CCTV Spring Festival Gala. He sang Serbian folk song “There, Far Away” accompanied by world renown pianist Lang Lang. By China Media Group official statistics, the show was broadcasted live on 1.000 TV stations in 173 countries and got staggering 16 billion 216 million views!

Over the course of his career, Slobodan has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, including Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Nagoya / Shanghai / Dubai World Expo,  Kombank Arena Belgrade, Celtic Connections and Rainforest Music Festival, presenting Serbian culture as a symbol of innovation and high artistic achievement.

Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis collaborated and performed with notable symphonic and jazz orchestras including Grammy Award winning Metropole Orchestra, Phion Orkest from Holland, Belgrade Philharmonic, Jazz Orchestra of Concertgebouw, WDR Rundfunk Orchestra to name a few. Guest artists who appeared or cooperated with Slobodan (& Balkanopolis) include fado diva Mariza (Portugal), pianist Lang Lang (China), Oleta Adams (USA), Yorgos Dalaras (Greece), Baaba Maal (Senegal), Mayssa Karaa (Lebanon/USA), Pelageya (Russia), Josipa Lisac (Croatia) and others.

Slobodan Trkulja is the founder and art director of SILK ROAD Art Festival / China Light Festival that his Balkanopolis Center for Modern Tradition organizes in multiple cities in Serbia since 2019. with goal to foster cultural exchanges in the multipolar world. 

In addition to performing, Slobodan is active in education and cultural preservation. He regularly conducts workshops, lectures, and masterclasses for young musicians, believing strongly in the importance of passing traditions to future generations.

Today, Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis are considered a cultural bridge between nations and generations. Their music is both a preservation of heritage and a vision for the future, proving that tradition can inspire new generations and unite people worldwide through the universal language of music.

Balkanopolis

Slobodan Trkulja is the lead singer, founder and frontman of Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis. Songs he composes are rooted in pop rock / orchestral / Balkan music and Serbian traditional melodies and rhythms. It varies in style from Arena rock to acoustic & traditional, played on Serbian traditional instruments, furiously improvised jazz-orientated solos over incredibly complex Balkan rhythms (25/8), to modern symphonic / pop take on ancient Orthodox chants and “grleno pevanye” (archaic throat singing). Mixed with powerful orchestral arrangements and modern beats, the music of Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis ranges from lyrical to epic soundscapes.

Balkanopolis consists of following members:

Slobodan Trkulja – singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer
bagpipes, kaval (end-blown flute), clarinet, Armenian doudouk, Cretan Lyra, tenor/soprano saxophone,
Serbian tambura, frula, piano, mandolin, cornemouse,  guitar, flute, traditional percussions, etc.
Miloš Jakovljević – kaval (end-blown flute)
Marko Milatović – keyboards, programming, piano
Aleksandar Sedlar – electric / acoustic guitar
Dejan Antović – bass guitar
Arie den Boer – drums

Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis created a unique sound that is referred to as the Modern Tradition and has evolved into a musical genre with an increasing following both in terms of other musicians that are emulating it and international audiences that are drawn to it.