Den Za Den
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Skopje , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Jazz rock music |
Den Za Den (in Macedonian: Ден За Ден; translated as Day After Day) was a Yugoslav jazz rock ensemble originating from Skopje in 1978. Although their active period was short-lived, the group held a significant position within the Yugoslav jazz rock scene.
1978–1980
Den Za Den came together in January 1978 with the initial members Dragiša Soldatović "Labiš" (keyboards, formerly of Skrb), Vladimir Jankulovski (bass), Dmitar Čočorovski (drums), and Siniša Stojanovski (guitar). During that year, they recorded two songs, "Letna ljubov" ("Summer Love") and "Taka treba" ("That's the Way"), for RTV Skopje. In October, Siniša Stojanovski was replaced by Arijan Dema (previously with Pu), and by December the band performed at the final edition of the BOOM Festival.
In 1979, Den Za Den took part in the Subotica Youth Festival as well as the Rock Evening at the Opatija Festival. Their compositions "Ciganka" ("Gypsy") and "Vodopad" ("Waterfall") were included on the compilation album Opatija '79 – Rock grupe.
The group’s debut album, entitled Den Za Den and produced by Ivo Umek, was released in 1980. That same year, they returned to the Opatija Festival with their song "Jutro i noć" ("Morning and Night"), which appeared on the compilation JRT – Opatija '80 – Rock veče. Additionally, they performed at Zagreb’s Jazz Fair festival, where their track "Den za den" was featured on the live album Jazz Fair / Sajam jazza.
Despite their contributions, Den Za Den struggled to gain substantial media exposure due to the burgeoning popularity of the Yugoslav new wave movement and ultimately disbanded shortly after their final show at the FAMUS festival in Sivac in November 1980.
Post breakup
Following the band's dissolution, Dragiša Soldatović "Labiš" and Dimtrije Čočorovski established the latin jazz ensemble Paskvelija. However, Čočorovski departed within a few months to join Avtograf (Autograph), a newly formed band. Soldatović continued to lead Paskvelija until it ceased activity in 1985. Later in 1995, he initiated a jazz project called Labish Trio alongside Zoran Pavlovski (bass) and Kokan Dimuševski (drums). Their self-titled debut album was released in 1996. The trio's follow-up record, Dream (1998), featured Soldatović on piano with Darko Mučov handling bass duties and Goce Stefkovski on drums. Dragiša Soldatović passed away on 22 March 2008.
Arijan Dema became a member of Izlez (Exit), a brief-lived group formed in 1981 by former members of Leb i Sol, Kokan Dimuševski and Garabet Tavitjan. After Izlez dissolved in 1982, Dema recorded several solo tracks before withdrawing from the Yugoslav music industry. In the late 1980s, he toured Europe performing with Fireball. Arijan Dema died on 24 June 2016.
After Den Za Den ended their activities, Vladimir Jankulovski retired from his musical career.
Studio albums
- Den Za Den (1980)
Other appearances
- "Ciganka" on Opatija '79 – Rock grupe (1979)
- "Jutro i noć" featured on JRT – Opatija '80 – Rock veče (1980)
- "Den za den" included in Jazz Fair / Sajam jazza (1980)
External links
- Den Za Den at Discogs
- Den Za Den at Prog Archives