Exclusive for „Svet Australia“: Dr Nina MARKOVIĆ
At the legendary Camelot Lounge in Marrickville, a unique live music showcase titled “World Music Without Borders” is held several times a year. These evenings, which dissolve geographical, cultural, and historical boundaries, are hosted by the iconic Sydney-based ensemble Marsala—a group of highly accomplished professional musicians renowned for their Balkan, Romani, Latin, and Eastern European ethno music.
Marsala doesn’t just perform music – they create an atmosphere. Their global repertoire, rich improvisations, and powerful on-stage energy turn every show into a one-of-a-kind experience. This time, among musicians from Australia, Russia, Turkey, and the Balkans, the audience also had the opportunity to hear Milan Gligorić, who delivered a particularly emotional moment.
“Last Saturday, I had the exceptional honor and pleasure of being invited to sing ‘Odđila’ by Haris Džinović with Marsala. I honestly didn’t expect to be called on stage after a performance by my colleague from Turkey, but the energy in the room was incredible. When I first arrived in Australia and asked around about musicians here, Marsala was always mentioned as a cult band in Sydney that also plays our music,” Gligorić said.
He added that members of Marsala have also supported the promotion of his upcoming concert on March 6 at Cardea, where he will perform Balkan music alongside one of the band’s key members, renowned saxophonist Lupče Stojčevski and colleague on the keyboards Aleksandar (Alex) Koneski. “Together, our goal is to introduce Australian audiences to the beauty and emotional depth of Balkan ethno and popular music,” Gligorić emphasized.
A Musical Story Spanning Decades
Marsala’s founder, Joseph Zarb returned from a trip in Europe 1987 (born and bred in Australia, mother's side have been here for six generations) and, together with his Italian colleague Enzo, founded the band in 1997. The name Marsala comes from the Sicilian town of the same name and translates as “God’s Harbour.” Shortly thereafter, Stole Petrović joined the group—a musician who grew up in Belgrade and performed with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra before moving to Australia.
His arrival marked a turning point for the band. Marsala gained what it had previously lacked: an authentic Balkan sound and trumpet virtuosity. During the difficult late 1990s, when it was challenging to even utter the word “Serbia” in Australia due to the wars and negative media coverage, Marsala filled “La Bar” on Wednesday nights, entertaining Australian audiences for years with Balkan music.
A Large Musical Family
Today, Marsala functions as a large musical family made up exclusively of professional musicians with decades-long careers. Alongside Joseph Zarb, a guitar professor and lead male vocalist, the ensemble features Viktoria Bolonina, a popular opera singer and female vocalist; veteran musician Stole Petrović on trumpet; Ljupče Stojčevski on saxophone; Jess Ciampa on bass guitar; Gino Pengue on guitar; Bill Kezelos on drums; Sam Golding on flute and trumpet; and Kiril Stojčevski on congas. Most of these performers play several instruments, and when they come together, they are Marsala.
Joseph Zarb notes that their shows are often sold out and attract audiences who love world music—rhythms from Brazil, Cuba, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans, as well as Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Hebrew musical traditions.
“This is the only place in Sydney where people stand shoulder to shoulder, calling for peace, love, friendship, and togetherness among communities that were once at war. No one talks about politics, even though the music itself is full of depth and symbolism—addressing themes such as displacement, return, separated lovers, and broken hearts,” Joseph Zarb says.
In a world marked by division, Marsala has for nearly three decades proven that music can be a universal language, and that Sydney has its own world music harbour without borders.
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