SVJATA VATRA (Ukraine)
''Svjata Vatra'' Vatra is an Estonian-Ukrainian folkband.
     The musicians themselves call their style „firefolk“. The band’s composition is unique: the temperamental trombone together with the Estonian bagpipes produce amazing sound patterns. Duduk’s deep southern tones bring in more distant melodies and the dialogue with the northern horn sweeps away even the last shadows of cultural barriers. The melancholy accordion balances and ties the wind and percussion instruments (djembe, tarbuka and buhalo) together. This results in fiery non-Nordic masculine energy that cannot but impress everyone.The Estonian and Ukrainian folk songs and tunes have new arrangements, whereas the authors‘ pieces have sprung from personal experiences.
Svjata Vatra is like a sizzling campfire, giving light and warmth yet burning no one.
     Ruslan graduated from the Ukrainian National Conservatoire as a trombone player. He has played five years in Ukrainian folk rock band Haydamaky. It was Ruslan who initiated Svjata Vatra and is the leader of the band. He combines his very special charismatic trombone playing style with intense vocals and Georgian duduki, using scythe for rhythm.
     Kulno studies accordion in the folk music department in Tartu University Viljandi Culture Academy and is an expert in Estonian traditional dances. He also plays The Estonian bagpipes and karmoshka. Kulno is the harmony of the band. There is a melancholy note in even the most passionate pieces…
     Juss is a graduate of the Tartu University Viljandi Culture Academy’s folk music department, specializing in national wind instruments. Having acquired his M.A. degree in Norway, he now works as a lecturer in Viljandi Culture Academy. Juss plays folk wind instruments – Estonian bagpipes, jew’s harps, whistles, horns etc.
     Kalle studies drums and percussion instruments in the jazz music department of Tartu University Viljandi Culture Academy. In addition to present day jazz, pop & rock music he is also interested in the traditional music of different countries and various musical streams. In Svjata Vatra Kalle plays a West-African djembe which, together with Silver's darbuka, forms the rhythmical foundation and driving force of the band’s music.

Songs:
1) Kalyna Ukrainian - trad/R.Trochynskyi/Svjata Vatra
2) Verhovyna - Ukrainian trad/ Svjata Vatra

Members:
Ruslan Trochynskyi (19.10.1976) - trombone, scythe, duduki, vocal
Kulno Malva (26.12.1979) - accordion, bagpipes, vocal
Juhan Suits (Torupilli Juss) (06.02.1977) - bagpipes, whistle, wooden horn, vocal
Kalle Kindel (11.12.1979) - percussion, djembe
Terje Trochynskyi (29.04.1971) - manager

Web-site: www.myspace.com/svjatavatra