Powerhouse singer Ana Simonovska’s musical skills were honed at the Conservatory and Faculty of Music Arts in her native Skopje, Macedonia. After graduation she played and recorded her own songs with a Macedonian rock band before going solo. After years as a TV journalist in Skopje, she now lives with her husband in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Mark Lee Hunter, slide guitar and vocals
Ace guitarist Hunter has toured with Fontilla Timmons, studied with Bob Brozman, learned licks at the feet of John Lee Hooker, performed with musicians like the great Mexican guitarist Gil Gutierrez, and recorded with disco artist Kim Dorell and harmonica virtuoso Richard Hunter. Based in Paris, Hunter teaches journalism at INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business graduate schools.
Dave Kaplan, harmonica
Acclaimed harmonicist Dave Kaplan learned to play blues in his native Chicago. He’s spent over 30 years playing in blues, rock, and jazz bands. Known for blazing fast runs on the harp, Kaplan has performed worldwide. His work as an investigative journalist, meanwhile, has won more than 20 awards. Based in Washington, D.C., he now works as director of the Global Investigative Journalism Network.
And our special guests:
Igor Araujo, bass
Bruno Bade, drums
Drummer and architect Bruno Bade, 26, plays in the band Hover, an original music project. Prior to that, he played in many different styles, but mainly rock music. He is considered by many music producers the most talented drummer of his generation.
Peter Klein, keyboard
Peter studied music theory at the University of Miami, and learned from some of the top jazz pianists in America. Throughout the '90s he was a fixture in hotels and restaurants in Miami and Philadelphia, tossing in Thelonious Monk among sets of schmaltzy background music. He is a producer at 60 Minutes and director of the University of British Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
Bruno Sponchiado, DJ
Journalist and broadcaster Bruno Sponchiado studied at UFRJ, works at TV Globo, producing articles and other stuff for local newscasts. Nowadays, he collects information about what happens in Rio metropolitan area. During his free time, he likes to write analysis about the Brazilian automotive market for websites.