Biography
Tomislav Goluban (Grabrovec, Zabok, Croatia)
Inspired by the LP record sounds of Sonny Terry's "Wizard of the Harmonica", he started playing the instrument. Over the years, Goluban has sharpened his music expression into the unique country-blues blended with Croatian Zagorje traditional music. Mississippi delta sucessfully crossed over with Zagorje's traditional music is also obvious in the name of his band Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues. His nickname Little Pigeon is a liberal translation of his last name to English. Extraordinary compound ForHill (Zagorje) was a result of a leisure fun-time with English words "hill" and "for". That's just the way his music is: cheerful and free, much like his artistic interpretation approach to American music heritage.
In the period from 2005 to 2012 Tomislav has:
-published five studio albums and two maxi singles
-won 4 Croatian top dicography awards "Porin" (the equivalent of a Grammy in Croatia)
-won 3 "Croatian Musicians Union" awards "Status"
-performed in 10 countries in two continents (Europe and the USA)
-won the 4th place at Worlds Harmonica Championship in Germany 2005
-became the sole Croatian indorser of the world's finest and most famous harmonica manufacturer "Hohner"
-received the Letter of thanks from the City of Zabok
-been awarded with Krapina-Zagorje county Medallion for extraordinary achievements
-received the Fender Mega Muzika award for the exceptional contribution to harmonica played music 2009
-received the Fender Mega Muzika award for Best Musical Cooperation with Zdenka Kovacicek 2012
-been the first Croatian representative at 25th International Blues Challenge, Memphis, USA 2009
-been one of the founders and the first president of the "Croatian Blues Forces" association
-developed an educational music program called "The harmonica in Blues" which is presented to the pupils of elementary and high schools all over Croatia by himself
INTERNATIONAL CONCERTS
2012 – SPAIN, Madrid, clubs concerts (guest for Tonky Blues Band)
2012 – TURKEY, Istanbul, Intercultural art Dialogues Days
2011 – GERMANY, Berlin, competition
2011 – HUNGARY, Szentgotthard, Europe day
2011 – ITALY, Pordenone Blues Festival (guest for Mike Sponza)
2010 – FRANCE, Blues sur Seine Festival (Aubergenville, Mantes-la-Jolie, Poissy)
2010 – SWEDEN, Amal's Blues Festival
2009 – NORWAY, Notodden Blues Festival
2009 – USA, Memphis, International Blues Challengeu, competition
2005 – GERMANY, Trossingen, World Harmonica Festival, competition
DISCOGRAPHY
Solo albums:
Med bregi (Menart/Spona, 2012)
200$ SUN Memphis Album (Croatia Records, 2010)
Zagorje Blues (Aquarius Records / Spona, 2009)
Mr. B. (Aquarius Records / Spona, 2007)
Pigeon's Flight (Aquarius Records / Spona, 2005, 2008)
REVIEWS
Listening to the Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues (Mr. B.) recording was a breath of clean air in a world of Blues that's lost a lot of originality. To hear the expression of my culture's music with the vitality of expression and Croatian feel is one of the reasons I think this CD understands and respects the concept of what we think Blues should be, not to be a carbon of a recording but the expression of your roots - blended with ours. The harmonica playing is truly original, Sonny Terry, Hamie Nixon, Tomislav Goluban - understanding and sympathy and respect. "Hats Off" to you guys!! "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks, May 2007 (USA)
Little Pigeon’s plays and sings with strong passion and the occasional flash of humor. He is, without a doubt, my favorite Croatian blues player. Joe Filisko, July 2004 (USA)