With roots across continents and cultures, from Cuba to Romania, from Mexico to Hungary and Slovakia, BaLaKo (Balkan Latin Kollective) is one of the freshest jazz projects on today's music scene.

The musical collective made its debut on the stage of one of the most renowned festivals in the world, the Montreux Jazz Festival, in 2013, and is following up by the famous North Sea Jazz Festival (Rotterdam, Netherlands).

BaLaKo is the soul child of five professional musicians, trained and schooled in the only Latin country from the Balkans, Romania, as well as the "island of youth" and son, Cuba: Marius Cristian Ciupitu - Chupi (drums), Alexander Himely Benavides - El Niño (congas), Omar Secada Dihigo (piano), Valentin Andrei Zachar - Zach (saxophone) and Antonio Segui Rolando - Tony (trombone).

On stage, the five musicians perform alongside four guest stars: Elena Ionescu (lead vocals), Sebi Yoo (bass), Leonard Vasile (accordion) and Sebastian Burneci (trumpet).