The Los Angeles Times calls Eastern Blok’s music “relentlessly innovative work.” Downbeat Magazine claims that “the ensemble playing is often breakneck and consistently challenging.” Acoustic Guitar Magazine raves that Eastern Blok plays with “blazing virtuosity and sheer beauty.” Innovation! Innovation! Innovation! Such is the musical mantra for popular world fusion jazz ensemble Eastern Blok. This group remains ever ready to outdo themselves by pushing the envelope just a little further with each subsequent performance, often through the employment of unconventional rhythmic patterns and offbeat phrasings. They further challenge themselves by experimenting with music that varies in mood from the intensely lyrical and profoundly emotional to the more animated and light-hearted yet electrifying. Their inventive re-interpretations of old standards and innovative original compositions are a by-product of the artful blending of many diverse styles with jazz including classical, Macedonian, Bulgarian, and Serbian folk, Klezmer, rock and a smattering of Middle Eastern flavorings as well. The band members are all formally trained musicians and virtuosos in their own right, so as one might expect, their music is as distinguished in its complexity as it is technically advanced. Nevertheless, Eastern Blok takes pride in creating music that appeals to all types of listeners and also continues to stand the test of time. They will tell you that key to their success in this regard lies in the blending of both classical and jazz genres in a musical setting that is ever evolving yet still highly pleasing to the vast majority of listeners’ ears. (World Music Boston) EASTERN BLOK’s “extraordinary pan-cultural ensemble effortlessly blends classical and jazz music with the rich folkloric traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia. The resulting music is as alluring as it is complex. Exotic Middle Eastern motifs merge gracefully with the evocative sounds of Eastern European klezmer music. Beautifully conceived folk passages are followed by perfectly executed Mahavishnu-inspired pyrotechnics. The passion and urgency at which this group plays is heard in every note…” (Minor 7th Magazine). EASTERN BLOK features classical guitar virtuoso GORAN IVANOVIC, joined by DOUG ROSENBERG on woodwinds, MATTHEW ULERY on upright bass, and MICHAEL CASKEY on percussion. The band was originally dubbed Goran Ivanovic Group by founding members Ivanovic and Rosenberg. They teamed up with Ulery and Caskey in 2004. After successfully packing venues throughout the country and honing their musical direction, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2005. "The Goran Ivanovic Group" record met with critical acclaim, combining traditional folk music from the Balkans along with Latin, flamenco and klezmer elements, European classical influences and American jazz. The track “Blacksmith’s Dance” was selected out of thousands of submissions as one of three finalists in the 2005 John Lennon Songwriting Competition. In 2006, the group began performing under the name EASTERN BLOK. At this point, it had already been invited to present educational concerts and masterclasses at major universities like Princeton, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, and University of Michigan among others. The group’s sound, its musical influences and the academic training of the band members worked especially well as an educational springboard at music schools across the country. Year 2007 brought the group further recognition following their performance on Chicago Public Radio’s “Chicago Undercover,” and their headlining of the World Music Festival in Chicago. Eastern Blok’s next record, “Folk Tales,” was recorded that same year and released at their performance in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. "Folk Tales" features a somber, serious sound with a lively and elusive beat. Having drawn upon highly dynamic classical and jazz aesthetics rather than relying on a recent fad of gypsy-jam-band antics, Eastern Blok maintained a timeless sound and virtuosic approach. With “Folk Tales” in hand, the group continued trekking across the country, performing at venues like Blues Alley and Twins Jazz in Washington D.C., The Metro and Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in Chicago, The Krannert Center in Urbana, Joe’s Pub and Makor in NYC and Chris Jazz in Philadelphia to name just a few. Turning over a new leaf, the band went on a tour of the American South with popular jam band Snarky Puppy in Spring 2011. This tour was used to work out the music of the new album, “Underwater.” After visiting Kentucky, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, Eastern Blok’s final concert before recording was a triumphant return to Rosch Hall at SUNY-Fredonia, to a standing-room only crowd. The day Eastern Blok returned to Chicago, they entered the studio, capturing the unique energy that only a well-seasoned travelling band can display. “Underwater” is recorded live to 2” inch analogue tape, in homage to classic recording styles It features compositions by Goran Ivanovic, and new to this album, work by bassist Matt Ulery. Here’s an excerpt from the concert review at Fredonia: Sporting a brown suit, bass player Matt Ulery introduced his newly created piece "Underwater Suite." The piece introduces a whole different style of music as the instruments morphed into crashing waves, bubbles and swishing underwater life. Rosenberg muffled his saxophone with his knee while Caskey scratched the symbols on his American style drum set, utilizing their instruments in ways that were anything but conventional. "Five or six years ago this was one of our first college shows ever. We have great memories and it is great to be back," Rosenberg said. The audience shared his gratitude by rising three times for a standing ovation. One ovation roared so loud after the player left the stage, they were encouraged to return one last time for an encore piece. Many faculty, alumni and students filled the seats of the recital hall. Mrs. Kale, a music education alumni of SUNY Fredonia, traveled from Buffalo to see Eastern Blok and was blown away by the performance. "The show has been spectacular, just really, really amazing," Kale said. After the show, Eastern Blok met outside Rosch where anxious fans bought their albums, received signings and got to pull aside band members to ask questions and congratulate them on a superb performance. (Kelley Lord, Fredonia Leader)