Lelo Nika

At the age of five Lelo got his first accordion from his father, who is also an accordionist and whose family is well known for its gypsy music traditions passed down through generations. Lelo was brought up with music as a natural everyday element; music was a way of life, a way of communication, irrespective of situation, place or hour.

His fatherwas Lelo’s first accordion teacher and brought his son to Yugoslavia, when he was ten years old. From the very first day he became active in an folklore orchestra led by Ionel Corneanu.

He was first violinist of the orchestra and he introduced him to the music in the best of ways, how to play as a soloist, the orchestral structure, and the history of the music.

Lelo stayed for three years, studying under the Serbian accordionist Branimir Dokic and going deeply into Slavic and Romanian culture.

He then went back to Denmark, to study under Mogens Ellegaard and got a classical education for five years.

After that he studied at the Danish Harmonica academy for Jeanette Dyremose and later at Malmö Academy of Music with Lars Holm.

Through the years Lelo Nika has performed and played with several jazz celebrities, among others he has toured with Joe Zawinul (Weather Report) and Randy Brecker. In time his musical horizon grew versatile and broad.

Today he sees great importance to the mission of both preserving and developing the musical traditions that he derives from, aswell as composing new music. Especially the music he is creating with new ensemble Lelo Nika Septet: TAJJ quartet and the trio he has had for many years together with George Mihalache and Thommy Andersson. ”The music I´m playing with them truly reflects where I´m at right now, musically and as a human being.” A story of its own and a new musical path.