Damir Imamović

The Cleveland Museum of Art is proud to present Damir Imamović, the Bosnian master of the sevdah, in his Cleveland debut, performing with his trio.

Born to a family of bards in Sarajevo, Damir’s immersion in the world of Balkan music was inevitable given that his grandfather Zaim was one of the most renowned folk and sevdalinka musicians of mid-20th century Yugoslavia.

Sevdah is a richly evocative Bosnian word, meaning “pining” or “a longing” (for a loved one, a place, a time) that is both joyous and painful, being the main theme of sevdalinka lyrics—comparable to Portuguese fado, Greek rembetika, or French chanson in its dramatic narratives. Sevdalinka originated during the Ottoman period in Bosnia and Herzegovina and was influenced by the music of the Sephardic Jewish and Roma communities, as well as the music of the Ottoman Empire.

Damir has dedicated his career to performing the music of his homeland and sharing its rich, enchanting melodies and stories with audiences worldwide and educating listeners on its vibrant history.

Damir has received numerous international awards for his work, including “Best of Europe” (Songlines, 2021), “Best of Folk” (German Record Critics’ Award: Quarterly Critic’s Choice, March 2020), and “Best of Europe” (Transglobal World Music Chart, 2019/2020). 

The views expressed by performers during this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Museum of Art.