In 2017, Sasha Tab – that’s Oleksandr Sloboyanyk – tried to represent Ukraine at Eurovision as part of Salto Nazad. Although his group wasn’t selected, five years later Sasha will now get the opportunity to appear at Eurovision. He has been named as the new backing vocalist for Kalush Orchestra – replacing Dzhonni Dyvnyy.

Sasha Tab joins Kalush Orchestra for Eurovision 2022

During Kalush Ochestra’s appearance at the market square of Lviv on Saturday, we noticed that the group were joined by a new backing vocalist. The then “unidentified” artist has turned out to be Sasha Tab, the lead singer of the former group Salto Nazad.

In 2017, Salto Nazad took part in the second edition of Vidbir with “O mamo”, a song that won the jury vote of the show’s first semi-final. During the grand final, the band placed sixth overall. Last year, Sasha auditioned for Holos krainy (The Voice of Ukraine), where he sang his Vidbir song – which was instantly recognised by the judges. 

Sasha Tab on singing at Eurovision 2022

The musical distance between Sasha Tab as an artist and Kalush Orchestra as a group is small. Salto Nazad’s former producer Ivan Klimenko is also one of the songwriters for Kalush Orchestra’s Eurovision 2022 entry “Stefania”. In a statement to Suspilne, Sasha stated: 

“My friends from the group Kalush wrote to me that they needed a backing vocalist. In a situation in which their backing vocalist could not go. I am very happy that they asked me and that I can help my favourite group, my friends. And that way I ended up with them.”

“It’s an honour for me to represent Ukraine at such a global, cool contest. That will help financially. We will have a fundraiser. We will have a promo tour to help Ukraine. I’m very happy that it has gone this way. In 2017, I was in the selection with a song about a mother. And it has happened again that it’s a song about a mother – “Stefania”. After all, it was called for that I would take part.”

 
 
 
 
 
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Kalush Orchestra will perform at Israel Calling on 7 April. Having already arrived in Israel, they have filmed their Eurovision 2022 postcard in the country since they were unable to do so in Ukraine.

Further destinations of their promo tour are yet to be revealed. 

Are you excited that Sasha Tab has joined Kalush Orchestra for their Eurovision 2022 journey? Let us know in the comments below!

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Milica
Milica
1 year ago

I was hoping to see Dzhonni Dyvnyy in finals, his moves are so cool.
Congrats Ukraine, stay safe.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

I loved his song in Vidbir 2017. This is great to hear!

Colin
Colin
1 year ago

I just hope that the member staying in Ukraine will be safe. All the best to this whole group.

Azuro
Azuro
1 year ago

Is this to replace the bald guy who has like 1 line?

The cute pink hat guy visibly there, and apparently the flautist is too, not sure what the others do tbh

Mircs
Mircs
1 year ago
Reply to  Azuro

Yes, I guess they’ll have the same constellation as in their performance here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MELGb9YBPUg

Cookie Nation
Cookie Nation
1 year ago

Is he the one who sings the chorus and plays the flute? If so it is an important role. Hope the original guy is safe and sound, though.

Anna
Anna
1 year ago
Reply to  Cookie Nation

No, the guy who sings the chorus stayed. Sasha Tab is rather a backing rapper than a vocalist (there were some videos of the rehearsal, where he was rapping during the verses)

Ana
Ana
1 year ago
Reply to  Cookie Nation

No, the chorus singer is in Israel. Probably another backing vocalist.

Martin
Martin
1 year ago
Reply to  Cookie Nation

What’s the name of the chorus singer?

Nikki
Nikki
1 year ago
Reply to  Martin

The handsome one 🙂

Cookie Nation
Cookie Nation
1 year ago
Reply to  Nikki

The handsome one is GoA’s flute player, lol. Still he’s in the rags suit most of the time, so we cannot see him.

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  Cookie Nation

That’s a bad move. Don’t they know their audience?

Jerz
Jerz
1 year ago

Of course, Sasha will be the best backing vocalist of the Kalush Orchestra! I’m so excited to see him backing vocals of Kalush Orchestra to Turin!

I hope that Kalush Orchestra will be making into Eurovision grand final. So as I promise, I still stand with Ukraine.