THE STORY OF
The Man From Romania is not just a project, but a transcendent experience, a journey where everyone finds themselves. It is an experience that goes beyond words, meanings, and conventional limits of music. In this project, music is not just sound – it is a universal vibration that connects us all, regardless of origin or culture. Every note and every rhythm creates a bridge between the past and present, between old traditions and modern visions, bringing us together in perfect harmony. It is an elusive project, but not impossible to understand. It is a reality we live together in this collective journey.
At the heart of this project is Marius Preda – an artist who reinterprets, with rare virtuosity, the cimbalom, transforming it into an archetypal instrument of universal music. His music is an abstract mix of diverse influences: from traditional Romanian music to jazz, flamenco, classical music, and more. With every performance, Preda creates a link between cultures and sounds in a manner that is both ethereal and deeply felt by everyone who listens. It is music that transcends time and space, music that is utopian, a dream we all wish to hear across the world.
Through The Man From Romania, Marius Preda not only celebrates an instrument with a 2,500-year-old history, but also brings to life a universal vision of music and humanity. The cimbalom, this instrument that traveled from Persia along the Silk Road to Europe, becomes a symbol of cultural exchange and dialogue between civilizations. Preda, a visionary artist who does not limit himself to a single style or genre, revives this instrument in a unique way, creating a musical language that speaks directly from soul to soul.
Biography:
Marius Preda was deeply influenced by traditional Romanian music and, especially, by the lăutari (traditional musicians) from Romania, being part of the community from a very young age. Born into a family of lăutari, he learned to appreciate and understand music as a divine gift. This experience profoundly marked him and gave him the courage to dream of something many thought impossible – to become the first jazz cimbalom player in the world, with formal studies in the field and recognition from the most renowned musicians globally.
At just 16 years old, Marius Preda was invited to tour the Netherlands as a special guest of the great panflute player Nicolae Pîrvu. This opportunity opened the door for his jazz and vibraphone studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, where he graduated with honors and earned the nickname “The Tiger of the Conservatory” due to his virtuosity and energetic musical abilities.
Over the past two decades, Preda has collaborated with renowned international musicians, including Arturo Sandoval, Mike Stern, Vladimir Cosma, Gheorghe Zamfir (with whom he had the privilege of sharing the stage), Didier Lockwood, Rosenberg Trio, and many others. This international experience has allowed him to broaden his horizons and become a global artist who effortlessly navigates between genres and musical traditions without losing his authenticity.
Today, Marius Preda is a highly respected name in the global music scene, praised by legends like Hans Zimmer, Arturo Sandoval, and Vladimir Cosma. With each performance, he continues his mission to bring Romanian culture and musical traditions closer while integrating them into a global mosaic of musical innovation.
“The Preda Phenomenon” is not just a concert; it is a musical journey that transcends eras and genres, a celebration of innovation and collaboration, bringing pure emotion and authenticity to the stage.
Join this sonic revolution and discover an extraordinary musical universe created by “Marius Preda”and his exceptionally talented sons.
Ambassador of Music Traveler
Marius Preda is proud to announce that he has become an ambassador for Music Traveler, alongside legends such as Hans Zimmer, Billy Joel, and John Malkovich. Music Traveler aims to make music accessible and create connections between musicians worldwide, and Marius Preda is honored to support this global mission.
Marius Preda’s Message:
“My dream has always been to create a space where music becomes the universal language of the world. ‘The Man From Romania’ is a vision where we are all connected through sound, in a harmony that knows no boundaries. In this world, music is not just for the chosen few, but for all those who truly feel it. This is my project, but it is also yours, because together we can create a world where music is what truly unites us.”
Lineup:
Marius Preda - Cimbalom, Violin, Piano, Vibraphone, Accordion, Double Bass, Percussion, Trumpet, Voice
Eduard Preda - Piano | Synths
Thomas Preda - Bass | Guitar | Sounds | Vocal
Alex Bernath - Drums
ABOUT
Marius Preda
Cimbalom Player / Multi-Instrumentalist / Composer / Arranger / Improviser
Marius Preda is considered to be one of the most original, prolific and influential musicians in recent music history.
Preda has shared the stage with many renowned artists in the world of music:
Greats like: Arturo Sandoval, Gheorghe Zamfir, Vladimir Cosma and Didier Lockwood
Marius Preda was born in Bucharest (1977) into a family of musicians.
At the age of four, Marius received a special gift from his grandmother: a big, wooden trapezoidal box on 4 legs with metal strings stretched across its top: a Cimbalom.
Ever since, Preda fell in love with the instrument and dedicated all his time practicing and playing the exotic instrument. Because of his unique and charismatic playing, Preda has become the first cimbalom player in the history who has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls, festivals and jazz clubs in the world.
TO NAME A FEW
- Palais Des Congres – Paris
- Grand Rex – Paris
- Arena – Genève
- Blue Note – New York
- Ronnie Scott’s – London
- Blue Note – Milan
- Proms Festival – Prague
- Théâtre du Châtelet – Paris
In 1993, at the age of 16, Preda was invited for a concert tour in the Netherlands, starring as a special guest in the ensemble of the great panflute-player Nicolae Pirvu.
Shortly after, Preda decided to study jazz and vibraphone at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Preda graduated cum-laude and was given the nick-name “The Tiger of the Conservatory” a hommage to his virtuosic and energetic musical capabilities.
With all the skills that Preda accumulated over the years, Preda started to invent a new way of playing the cimbalom, a style only known and unique to him and presenting the cimbalom at the highest level possible.
In the past two decades, Preda has performed and contributed to:
Arturo Sandoval, Mike Stern, Vladimir Cosma, Rosenberg Trio, Didier Lockwood, Philip Catherine, Gheorghe Zamfir (Andreas Oberg “Six Strings Evolution” by Resonance Records - feat: Marius Preda, Decebal Badila, Antal Steixner, John Patitucci, Lewis Nash and Dave Kikoski) an Archibald Dance (no.4 on the album), Dennis Chambers, Tom Kennedy, Teymur Phell, Anne Ducros, Amikam Kimelman, Fifi Chayeb, Claude Salmieri, Rony Holan, Owen Hart Jr. Jens Loh, Leonid Ptashka, Adrian Cicero, Claus Reichstaller, Arie Volinez, Peter Weniger, Joris Teepe, Wolfert Bredorede, Adi Yeshaya, Robin Koerts, Taco Gorter, Paradox Jazz Orchestra, etc.
AMBASSADOR
Thrilled to announce that I’ve joined Music Traveler as an ambassador, standing alongside legends like Hans Zimmer, Billy Joel, John Malkovich, Sean Lennon, and David Garrett! Music Traveler is making music accessible and creating connections worldwide, and I’m honored to help share this mission with the world. Exciting things ahead—stay tuned!
