Kostana feat. Zelif blend the vibrant sounds of a Bulgarian accordion, the soulful depth of free-jazz sax, the electrifying beats of a darbuka, and the captivating movement of a dynamic dancer.

Mixing the musical accents of the Balkan countries with the language of jazz and the rhythms of Macedonian turbo-folk, the musicians burst beyond their borders, igniting the surrounding air.

The dancer, through contemporary corporeity, opens new horizons by delineating the festive, sketching the intimate, and delivering a rebellious energy. Each concert is an adventure, a unique story. A breath of freedom that they share generously through their improvisations and desires for openness.

An Unforgettable Musical Journey

Born from the cultural crossroads of Europe and the Balkans, Kostana is a musical collective that transcends borders and genres. Imagine a stage alive with color and energy, where haunting chants and unfamiliar languages intertwine with rhythms that compel you to dance. Our performances are a captivating journey, offering a glimpse into a musical world where tradition and innovation coexist in perfect harmony.
Kostana was formed in January 2022 following the meeting between Raoul (accordion and vocals) and Simon (saxophones and vocals). Initially a duo, the two musicians explored a blend of their respective universes : Balkan music and songs for one, the language of jazz and free improvisations for the other. Stuart (percussion) quickly joins the adventure, bringing his knowledge of Middle Eastern rhythms, the finesse of his darbuka playing, and elements of electronic percussion that pave the way for hypnotic trances inspired by late night raves. The uniqueness of the trio lies in their quest—through travels and human encounters—for the repertoire of Romani music from Hungary, traditional Balkan music (particularly from Bulgaria and Serbia), and in offering original arrangements that incorporate their own musical languages (jazz, improvisation, free music and elements of electronic music). The result is a musical set lasting an hour and a half, bursting with energy, inviting the audience to listen, dance, and dream. Regularly, other artists are invited to share the stage with Kostana (singing, dancing, rapping, slamming, or playing other musical instruments), thus paving the way for rich interdisciplinary encounters. Zelif (dance) joined the project in 2023. She improvised and created choreography for several pieces, developing a new artistic identity in the process. Zelif's hybrid dance naturally finds its place in Kostana's sound universe, blending a variety of aesthetics. From traditional and jazz dance, she immerses herself in more forward-thinking contemporary experiments through hip-hop. It is from this meeting that the powerful multidisciplinary stage form emerges: Kostana feat. Zelif.

The four artists then decided to delve deeper into their artistic search and trained in traditional Bulgarian dances with the dancer Veneta Petrova. In two and a half years, the group completed three musical residencies, one dance residency, two music videos, and a recording of an EP, as well as more than forty concerts.

A Fusion of Sounds and Cultures

Kostana is the meeting point between Bulgarian dances, Macedonian turbo-folk, and the rhythmic pulse of Turkish music. Our sound expands traditional boundaries, creating a sonic explosion that fills every corner of the room. With unbridled improvisations and a musical language that echoes the freedom of gypsy life, we invite you to experience a world of intense rhythmic trances supported by electronic triggers and effects.
At the heart of our musical exploration is dance in its broadest sense. It’s through dance that we let our personalities shine, meeting the audience in the moment through improvisation. Zelif’s innovative choreography transforms our performances into an intimate celebration of movement, self-expression, and connection, inviting you to be part of the experience.

Origins of Our Unique Collective

Kostana was founded in January 2022 by Raoul (accordion and vocals) and Simon (saxophones and vocals). What began as a duo soon evolved with the addition of percussionist Stuart, whose electronic kick, clap, and darbuka rhythms add depth and texture to our sound. Together, we delve into the heart of Romani music from Hungary and the rich traditions of the Balkans, crafting original works that reflect our diverse musical influences.

In 2023, we were joined by Zelif, whose powerful dance performances have taken our concerts to new heights. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones.

Join Us on a Journey of Discovery

Our musical journey has taken us to Bulgaria, Turkey, India, and Egypt, where we’ve been inspired by the diverse rhythms, languages, and cultures that shape our artistic vision. We weave these influences into a tapestry of sound that resonates with audiences, inviting you to join us in our exploration of rhythm, movement, and emotion.
Every performance is a canvas painted with the vibrant hues of joy and spontaneity. We aim to surprise, move, and create an experience that stays with you long after the last note fades.

Meet the Artists Behind the Magic

Raoul Gourbin (Accordion): A passionate musician deeply rooted in Bulgarian traditions, Raoul reimagines the accordion, transforming it into an instrument of surprise and innovation.
Eager to present the accordion where it is least expected, he plays and experiments in atypical projects such as Baïkal (rap), OuatDafak (electronic music), Métafortes (poetry/rap), Tchaï Kolectiv (a Balkan collective of 20 artists), Hein Quoi? (a trio of Bulgarian traditional music), and the Cie Poumon Gauche (theater).

Simon Riou (Saxophones): A seeker of new sounds, Simon blends classical training with free-form improvisation, creating a sonic landscape that invites exploration.
The saxophonist (Simon Riou) has been passionate about music from the age when he discovered that he could blow into tubes to produce sound. Besides his training at the universities of Toulouse and Montreal, the Toulouse Conservatory, and jazz courses at CNSMDP, he multiplies encounters and experiences to satisfy his curiosity and desire to learn and discover. Currently, he invests his energy in several projects such as the Orchestra of the Collectif Baraque à Free (joys of free improvisation), Ballast (Balkan rock), A + B (saxophone duo), Shtrob (jazz trio), and Sillage (jazz quintet).

Stuart Dickson (Percussion): ‘Not your usual Scottish percussionist' Stuart adds layers of rhythmic intensity with his mastery of the darbuka and electronic effects, driving the band’s hypnotic grooves.
Passionate about rhythm, he plays darbuka, tablas, drums, davul, daf, and many other percussion that give his playing the colors of travel and an unmistakable groove. He spent eleven years in Turkey, Egypt, and India studying and playing traditional Arab, Turkish, Greek, Balkan, and Indian music. This passionate learning has led him to record several albums of original compositions. He frequently plays internationally with groups such as Light in Babylon (Turkish and Sephardic music) and Johnny Makam (Balkan music).

Zelif (Dance): A multidisciplinary artist, Zelif navigates theater, dance, and music, creating movements that challenge and inspire, bringing the music to life in a powerful visual form.
Rich in a diverse practical and theoretical learning experience, it is on stage that she has forged her path. Unique in her experience, interpretation, and collaborations, she crosses the realms of theater, dance, music, and academic research. Freely flowing through contemporary, hip-hop, traditional, jazz, performative, and dramatic aesthetics, she employs improvisational methods and writing rooted in both corporeity and musicality. Today, she also dances with Baïkal (rap) and plays with Cie Peau-Ethique (theater/popular education); she works on mediation and collaborates with various artists for choreographic and dramatic writings, or for improvised shared performances!

Join Us! Feel the Rhythm, Dance, and Experience the Unforgettable!

Let Kostana feat. Zelif takes you on a transformative journey where music, dance, and electronic elements collide in an explosion of creativity and emotion. Whether you dance with us or simply absorb the magic, you are an essential part of this artistic evolution. Join us and lose yourself in rhythm, passion, and cross-cultural celebration!