Dragi Ã
 estià(born 14 May 1966) is a Bosnian music producer, sound engineer, director of music video clips and record label owner. In 1998 he founded the first Bosnian World Music band, Mostar Sevdah Reunion. He rediscovered almost forgotten Gypsy music legends from ex-Yugoslavia Ã
 aban Bajramoviàand Ljiljana Buttler-Petroviàand brought them into the spotlight of the international World Music scene.
Ã
 estiàwas born in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He worked with the famous maqaam (Maqam al-iraqi), star - Farida Ali from Iraq on her album Ishraqaat.
His work involved many of the Balkan stars, including the Queen of Gyspies Esma RedÃ
¾epova, Boban MarkoviÃÂ, Naat Veliov, Amira Medunjanin, Fulgerica, LjubiÃ
¡a StojanoviàLouis, and many more. His work can be found on many World Music compilations, but most of it is on his record label Snail Records, founded in 2002. He lives and works in the Netherlands.
Discography as a music producer
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëMostar Sevdah Reunionû (1999 â World Connection)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion presents Ã
 aban BajramoviÃÂ: ëA Gypsy Legendû (2001 World Connection)
- Ljiljana Buttler: ëThe Mother Of Gypsy Soulû (2002 Snail Records)
- Fulgerica and The Mahala Gipsies: ëGypsy Music From The City Of Bucharestû (2002 World Connection)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëA Secret Gateû (2003 Snail Records)
- Amira: ëRosaû (2004 Snail Records)
- Branko GaloiÃÂ: ëAbove The Roofsû (2005 Snail Records)
- Farida: ëIshraqaatû (2005 Snail Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion and Ljiljana Buttler: ëThe Legends Of Lifeû (2005 Snail Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion and Ã
 aban BajramoviÃÂ: ëÃ
 abanû (2006 Snail Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëCafe Sevdahû (2007 Snail Records)
- Ljiljana Buttler: ëFrozen Rosesû (2009 Snail Records)
- Sarr e Roma: ëSaraylandû (2010 Snail Records)
- Louis: ëThe Last King Of The Balkansû (2011 Snail Records)
- Klezmofobia: ëKartushnikû (2012 Tiger Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëTales From A Forgotten Cityû (2013 Snail Records/ World Connection)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëKings Of Sevdahû (2016 Snail Records)
- Klapa Reful Split: ëHeart Of Dalmatiaû (2017 Snail Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion presents Sreta: ëThe Balkan Autumnû (2018 Snail Records)
- Marin Jerkunica: ëBadijaû (2019 Snail Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëLady Sings The Balkan Bluesû (2022 Snail Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëLive in Sarajevoû (2023 Snail Records)
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëBosa Maraû (2024 Snail Records)
- Tondini plays Mostar Sevdah Reunion: ëDisko 088û (2025 Snail Records)
Awards
Films
- Mostar Sevdah Reunion by Pjer Ã
½alica 2000
- Sevdah the Bridge that Survived by Mira ErdeviÃÂki 2005
- Ã
 aban by MiloÃ
¡ Stojanovià2007
- Tales from a Forgotten City by Amir Grabus 2013
- Balkan Blues - documentary film Balkan Blues: Stories from Mostar by Lucio de Candia 2016
- Hocu kuci - Al Jazeera - Doprinos domovini 2018
- Sounds that made us â Klapa by Balázs Weyer 2023
References
External links