Druzina

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Druzina ("The Suite") is a Slovak band formed in 2000.

A group of musicians (folklorists, jazzmen and rockers) got together and their various adaptations of Slovak folklore songs developed into a style which they named the ethnobeat. They gave numerous live and TV performances in Slovakia and abroad (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland and France) under the name Jej Druzina ("Her Suite").

In 2001 the band released a CD titled Jej Druzina, which is still selling well all around Europe. By August 2005 4,500 copies were sold.

In the middle of the year 2002 the original band split into two fractions. One is the band Druzina. Members of the band Aty Beres (bass), Boris Brna (drums) and Mita Almasiova (vocals) invited their musician friends Miroslav Baloga (violin), Janko Simiak (fujara, pipes, accordion), Martin Sabov (guitar, mandolin) and Dana Feriencikova (lead vocal) to join them, giving rise to a new professional project named Druzina.

In 2003 Druzina prepared its new album and toured. It became successful at home and abroad, especially in the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.

In 2004 the CD Druzina was released, supported by a music video. By December 2005, 3,800 copies were sold.

In March 2005 Druzina hit the 11th place in the worldwide chart World Music Charts Europe among nominations from 165 CDs all around the world.

Based on its success, in June 2005 the band received invitations from festivals in the USA, Pakistan and Australia.

Druzina found its way into hands of significant producers and renowned musicians in July 2005. They got keenly interested in co-operation in recording of the next album in the USA with such great personalities as VINX, and others.

Also in 2005 in the worldwide chart World Music Charts Europe the CD of Druzina came 94th out of 1,005 nominated CDs from all around the world. This result is the final evaluation of the entire year 2005.

A new CD was produced in July 2006. Tragare was produced by VINX (ex Taj Mahal, Sting, Stevie Wonder).

By September 2006 Tragare hit the 12th place in the worldwide chart World Music Charts Europe among nominations from 192 CDs from all around the world.