Damir Imamović born in 1978, stands as a luminary figure in the realm of Bosnian music, wielding expertise as a musician, singer, composer, and preeminent authority on the traditional melodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically the evocative "

sevdalinka Sevdalinka (), also known as Sevdah music, is a traditional genre of folk music originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sevdalinka is an integral part of the Bosniak culture, but is also spread across the ex- Yugoslav region, including Croatia, Mo ...

" or "sevdah". Notably, he clinched the coveted title of "The Best Artist of Europe" at the esteemed 2021 Songlines World Music Awards, solidifying his position as a noteworthy force in the musical landscape.

Early life

Imamović was born in

Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ), ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'' is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 2 ...

, Bosnia and Herzegovina into a musical family. His father Nedžad Imamović (1948-2020), was a bass player, producer, singer and author, while his paternal grandfather

Zaim Imamović Zaim Imamović (26 August 1920 – 2 February 1994) was a Bosnian sevdalinka-folk singer, accordionist and author. Biography Imamović was born into a Bosniak family in Mrkonjić Grad, modern Bosnia and Herzegovina and after a year his family m ...

(1920–1994), was a legendary musician and traditional Bosnian folk singer, famous in the 1940s and 1960s. Damir spent his formative years (1992–1995) living in the besieged city of Sarajevo. He picked up playing guitar when he was 15. Later on he studied philosophy. Damir's teachers (apart from the family ties) were Spaso Berak (multiinstrumentalist and sevdah arranger for

Himzo Polovina Himzo Polovina (; 11 March 1927 – 5 August 1986) was a Bosnian singer and songwriter, and one of the most famous and widely revered folk and sevdalinka artists in the region. In addition, Dr. Himzo Polovina was a neuropsychiatrist by professio ...

), Hašim Muharemović (saz player), Emina Zečaj (legendary sevdah singer) and others.

Career

Imamović held his first concert in The Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Sarajevo, in 2004. Soon after he played numerous concerts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region of the former Yugoslavia, after the first CD with his Damir Imamović Trio was released in 2006. His most acclaimed CD was "Abrašević Live" which was to appear in 2008. It won him the "Davorin" music award of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as numerous international tours and performances in important festivals such as: Druga Godba (Slovenia), Jazz Fest Sarajevo (BIH). The "Abrašević Live" also features Damir's first sevdah compositions based on the traditional lyrics "Dva se draga". Renowned Bosnian/Croatian filmmaker Marina Andree-Škop collaborated with Damir Imamović in crafting the documentary film "Sevdah," rekindling the interest of a younger audience in this ancient art form. The film earned accolades, securing the Audience Award, "The Heart of Sarajevo," at the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2009. Damir's solo ventures showcase a distinctive, more intimate style. His live performances in Sarajevo's summer gardens garnered considerable acclaim, prompting the release of the live album "Svrzina Kuća" on 9 October 2011 by the Sarajevo-based record label iTM. The album features recordings from Damir's captivating shows held on 27 and 28 July 2011 at the historic Svrzo house in Sarajevo. In 2012 Damir formed "Damir Imamović's Sevdah Takht," featuring Ivan Mihajlović (electric bass, from Belgrade) and Nenad Kovačić (percussion, from Zagreb). The trio made notable appearances at prestigious music festivals across Europe, including Druga Godba (Slovenia), Balkan Trafik (Belgium), Culturscapes (Switzerland), and TFF Rudolstadt (Germany). In 2015, Sarajevo-based violinist Ivana Djurić joined the ensemble. The quartet showcased their musical prowess at the WOMEX 2015 festival in Budapest. In 2015, Glitterbeat Records signed the quartet, and their inaugural album is set for international release on 29 April 2016, with the first single, "Sarajevo," hitting the airwaves on 13 February 2016. Beyond his musical contributions, Damir Imamović is a dedicated sevdah researcher, educator, and producer. In 2014, he produced and released the album "The Art of Saz" by Ćamil Metiljević, a sevdah master from an older generation. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in producing the debut album "The House of Saz" by young saz player Jusuf Brkić.

Research, education, authorship

"Sevdah"
a book on history of the sevdah genre by Damir Imamović (Vrijeme, Zenica, B-H, 2016; in English in 2017) * "Sevdah, the art of freedom", a multimedia exhibition by Damir Imamović (Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, November 2015). * SevdahLab, an educational program on history, performance and studies of the genre of sevdah (sevdalinka) by Damir Imamović (since 2013)
SevdahLab lectures and workshops
were held around the world.

Discography

*with Damir Imamović Trio **''Svira Standarde'' (buybook, 2006) **''Abrašević live'' (samizdat, 2008) *Solo **''Damir Imamović'' (Gramofon, 2010) **''Svrzina Kuća'' (iTM, ''The House of Svrzo'', 2011) *with Sevdah Takt **''Sevdah Takht'' (iTM, 2012) **''Dvojka'' (Glitterbeat Records, 2016), produced b
Chris Eckman
*with Ivana Djuric
Derya Türkan
and

Greg Cohen Greg Cohen (born July 13, 1953) is an American jazz bassist who has been a member of John Zorn's Masada quartet and worked with numerous other noted musicians for over four decades. Career Cohen plays traditional jazz and other styles, includin ...

(produced by

Joe Boyd Joe Boyd (born August 5, 1942) is an American record producer and writer. He formerly owned Hannibal Records. Boyd has worked with Pink Floyd, Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny who was in Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake, The ...

and Andrea Goertler) **''Singer of Tales'' (

Wrasse Records Wrasse Records is a British record label based in Ashtead, Surrey Surrey () is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East Sussex, Eas ...

, 2020), the album was proclaime
"The Best European World Music Album"
by Transglobal World Music Annual Charts in 2020.

References

External links

Damir Imamović: "No to fascists and homophobes", Guardian feature on Damir, May 2021

Artist profiles: Damir Imamović, worldmusiccentral.org, June 2020

"Meet Damir Imamović: The King of Sevdah Music", The Huffington Post interview, September 2015Damir Imamović at Discogs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Imamovic, Damir 1978 births Living people Musicians from Sarajevo Sevdalinka Bosniaks of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina atheists 21st-century Bosnia and Herzegovina male singers