Damjan Pejčinoski

Damjan Pejčinoski (Macedonian: Дамјан Пејчиноски, born 1984 in Ohrid), is a Macedonian guitarist who lives in Ohrid, Macedonia. Pejčinoski started playing guitar at the age of six but his real interest in guitar started when he was 14. He attended school in Ohrid, and played rock music influenced by Deep Purple, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale, Greg Howe and many more in night clubs in Macedonia. In 2002, together with his band “Warning”, he took part in the “Rock Fest” festival for young talents where he won the “Best Guitarist” award handed to him personally by Vlatko Stefanovski, a virtuoso guitar player from Macedonia.
In 2003, Pejčinoski enrolled in the National Musical Academy “Pantcho Vladigherov”, Jazz Department in Sofia, Bulgaria where he was accepted with full scholarship.
In 2004 Pejčinoski formed the band "Jump Start" with Goran Gesovski on bass guitar, Borce Kostadinov on saxophone and Hristo Yotzov on drums (later replaced by Jordan Manov). The group played concerts in Bulgaria and Macedonia performing jazz-fusion music.
In June 2007 Damjan graduated at the Music Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria. In November 2007 he graduated Milcho Leviev's Masterclass called "Jazz Improvisations". On 21 December 2008, Damjan was invited by the Tavitjan Brothers to perform the concert at the Universal Hall in Skopje, Macedonia, where he received a reward for a best instrumental concert in Macedonia. In May 2009 Pejčinoski was selected by the Guitar Idol jury to perform on the competition finals along with 11 other contestants from all over the world.

In September, he earned second place at “Truth in shredding” guitar contest among 220 competitors around the globe. In December he came second again at “Strings on fire” guitar contest among 230 competitors around the globe.

February 2010 WINNER of the "Shred this too with Marco Sfogli" guitar competition ( 318 entries from all over the world) and received great review from Marco Sfogli ( James Labrie band)

April 2010 WINNER of the Zuia Chitarelor guitar contest in Romania by the votes of the respected judges(Andy Timmons,Brett Garsed, Corrado Sgandurra,Greg Howe,Michael Angelo Batio,Richard Hallebeek,William Stravato,Fabrizio Dado,Guglielmo Malusardi)

May 2010 Damjan joined the Macedonian Eurovision team and performed at the Eurovision show in Oslo,Norway( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sk0xxtlbQY )

September 2010 special guest at ZC3 festival in Bucharest,Romania where was performing with a live band – Stu Hamm od bass guitar and Mike Vanderhule on drums. September 2010 performed with Jennifer Batten,Michael Lee Firkins,Stu Hamm,Andreas Oberg, Dave Martone at the jam session show at ZC3 in Bucharest,Romania

has written articles for “AXE” the biggest Italian guitar magazine He is well known for his "hybrid picking" technique - using a pick and fingers and his videos on his YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/damjanpejcinoski

Pejcinoski finished post-graduate studies in Sofia,Bulgaria with a master's degree and nowadays he plays frequently with his band "Shine.

He is endorsed by "PRS" ( Paul Reed Smith ) guitar company(USA) who made a guitar especially for him and he is the first Balkan player ever endorsed by the "PRS" family among artist like Santana, Orianthi,Al Di Meola,Dave Navaro, Mark Tremonti ...

He is also endorser of the "ARTEC" effect pedals and "Reunion blues" gig bags. Concerts and performances: Bulgaria,Croatia,Serbia,United Kingdom,Hungary,Belarus,Romania,Italy...

Worlds biggest guitar names about Damjan :

Michael Angelo Batio: "Damjan is quite possibly the best new guitar talent I have ever seen and heard. He has absolutely amazing technique and plays with confidence and maturity. He is definitely one of the new, young emerging guitar stars."

Richard Hallebek: "I was very impressed by Damjan's 'in the pocket' groove and awesome timing. He was swinging hard to the music and his timing was really laid back and grooving. His lines were really interesting and he was paying attention to the melody's, vibrato's and the overall message he was trying to get across. His playing was a mix of jazz, fusion and rock and all that melted into one. A player with a lot of potential. I would love to hear a full album of his music and playing! I would certainly buy it! "

Brett Garsed: "Damjan Pejcinoski played incredibly well at Ziua Chitarelor and thoroughly deserved the first place prize. I'm sure he's going to have an amazing career for many years to come."

Andy Timmons: "Damjan really blew us away. He's got a natural ability on the guitar and has already developed a great technique. I look forward to hearing him develop his musicality in the years to come. He has a great future."

Greg Howe : "The winner, Damjan, is likely on his way to having a very successful career as a guitarist.He was really amazing and his performance was technically flawless.I really enjoyed the fact that he already possesses a great sense of musical maturity, never allowing his very advanced technical skills to take place at the expense of musicality. Congratulations!"