Vlatko Stefanovski was born in 1957 in Prilep, Macedonia in a theatrical family. He started playing guitar at the age of 13. In his late teens he formed the group LEB I SOL. It became one of the biggest names in the ex Yu scene. The band played a particular style of fusion music, a blend of Macedonian traditional irregular rhythms and contemporary rock. LEB I SOL released 13 albums, and toured around the world.

Recently Stefanovski has developed a very successful solo career. His first solo release, "Cowboys and Indians" (1994) showcased his various interests, from deep ethno roots to ambiental moods and classic blues.

The second CD "Sarajevo" (1996), was a benefit project for the UNICEF fund for children in need. In May 1996, Vlatko formed his electric trio and released their first CD for Third Ear Music in December 1998. In 1997 Stefanovski wrote the score for the motion picture "Gipsy Magic" directed by Stole Popov, which was released as a soundtrack CD under the same name.

He also made the music for the Turkish film "Journey To The Sun" directed by Yesim Ustaoglu, which won two awards at the Berlin film festival in 1999. 1998 saw the release of the album "Krushevo", on which Vlatko collaborated with the well known guitarist Miroslav Tadic. The CD was released for MA Recordings, and audiophile USA/Japanese record label. Vlatko and Miroslav promoted the album with three concerts at the HI-FI '98 fair in Los Angeles and at the Skopje Jazz Festival '98.

In 1999 they played the Sava Centar Hall in Belgrade and recorded their "Live in Belgrade" CD which came out in March 2000. In the last couple of years he has also played and recorded in France, with the group "Koreni" formed by the pianist Bojan Zulfikarpasic. He is also a member of the group Balkan Horses Band, with some other great musicians from seven Balkan countries.

Vlatko appears as a special guest at Gibonni's (Croatian pop star) last two albums and big concerts, together with some world class musicians like Manu Katche, Pino Paladino and Toni Levin, among others. Stefanovski's recent work also includes music for films, theatre and ballet.

He is well known for his incredible guitar technique. He creates rich soundscapes with imagination, fluency and ease. His trio have recently played (from clubs for 1000 to stadiums for 15 000 people) in Macedonia, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Holland, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, etc. Stefanovski has contracts with many artists, musicians and guitarists all around the world among which there are masters like Allan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin.

Vlatko Stefanovski lives in Skopje, Macedonia with his family, and owns a well-equipped project studio named "Esoteria Sound Studio".

footage from Croatian national TV station, HRT
live from Tvornica, Zagreb (2000)
source: http://www.yu4you.com/items/en/cd/item_769.html
sift: http://www.videosift.com/video/Vlatko-Stefanovski-Trio-Cowboys-Indians
links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlatko_Stefanovski
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miroslav_Tadić_(musician)
http://www.vlatkostefanovski.com.mk/ Vlatko Stefanovski
http://www.tvornica-kulture.hr/default.asp?ID=12 Tvornica, Zagreb