Bio
Ivan Tucakov
Ivan Tucakov was born in Belgrade, Serbia. He shared his childhood between southern Turkey and Serbia, where he was immersed within the cultural influences of both Eastern and Western music. During this time he developed an interest in guitar and studied under the Berkley School of Music curriculum. In 1998, Ivan moved to Vancouver and made the decision to pursue a career in computer science. He graduated with an honors degree in Computer Science and Physics at the University of British Columbia.
With a desire to maintain music in his life, Ivan formed the Tambura Rasa collective in 2004 with the aim of expanding the boundaries of world-fusion music. He studied flamenco guitar in Granada Spain, while his journey further took him in the direction of music composition, production and musical direction. Ivan has since released eight collections of original compositions, predominantly influenced by Indian classical to Turkish, Balkan and flamenco music. He has produced electronic mixes, some of which were released on the European Café del Mar lounge compilations. Tambura Rasa’s albums “Adsum”, “In Concert” and “Arribada” all got nominated for Best World Music Recording of the year at the West Canadian Music Awards (WCMA).
In 2012, Ivan started a classical world-fusion project called “Vino & Forte” with pianist Oriana White, and has since produced and released two studio albums together. Vino & Forte currently organizes collaborative concerts and regularly performs for special events and concert productions across the province.
In 2013, Toronto based radio station Jazz FM interviewed Ivan for a special edition documentary series called “Identities”.
In 2019, Ivan also authored a half-decade long project about evolution of cultures called Cultura Rasa.
In 2021, Ivan Tucakov wrote and produced his eighth Tambura Rasa studio album entitled “Infinite ∞”, releasing it on vinyl record for the very first time. This production explores ever newer musical territories, adding modern-classical, folk-americana, and even prog-rock into his growing “world music repertoire”.
For more information about Ivan Tucakov’s productions, please visit:
Tambura Rasa
Tambura Rasa is a vibrant fusion of cultures, blending contemporary grooves and traditional rhythms into one energetic musical brand of its own. Led by producer Ivan Tucakov, this eclectic group of performers from all corners of the globe weaves a rich tapestry of sound and dance, drawing from the Balkans, Spain, Turkey, the Middle East, and beyond.
They have become BC’s favorite caravan of vivacious globalistas, filling everything from intimate soft-seat theaters to large, dance-filled festivals, bringing joy, vigor and movement to all. Join them as they merge the sounds of the East and the West, past and present, in a captivating showcase of musical fusion and diverse cultural styles from all around the world.
“As the globe stresses and strains along artificially drawn borders, Ivan Tucakov and Tambura Rasa pick up the musical threads that bind us all and weave them into a tapestry of discovery and delight.”
– Cal Koat – World Beats Radio Canada