In 1970, Milcho Leviev emigrated from Bulgaria. At that time he was already a famous musician, with experience as soloist and conductor of the best Bulgarian orchestras, including a band he founded, Jazz Focus '65. He moved to live and work across the Atlantic at the invitation of Don Ellis. His work with the celebrated American jazz trumpeter and band leader did not break down his connections with Bulgaria, although it took him ten years to get the opportunity to see his homeland again. He was the first Bulgarian jazz musician who boldly experimented with local folk melodies and beats, and in the land of jazz at that. Leviev’s new project features the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band conducted by Antoni Donchev and the female choir Cosmic Voices. The folk group’s conductor Vanya Moneva says more:

“The idea of Milcho Leviev to write a work for big band and choir was born ten years ago, but it seems the right moment for it to be materialized has come only now. The working title of the project that I have selected is A Journey to Two Worlds. And the maestro always adds, ‘Simultaneously!’ For the first part of the project he has selected Bulgarian folk songs, all containing names of women in their titles – Vida, Radka, Grozdanka ... He has blended in such a lovely way the themes from jazz with the folklore originals that the transition from one state to another becomes imperceptible. He has recreated the atmosphere of a simultaneous journey into two different cultural layers. We know he lived for many years in the U.S. without returning home. I think the first part of A Journey to Two Worlds reveals this longing, this strong relationship with the roots. We now have to record the second part on which Milcho Leviev is still working. It is based on Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and offers an innovative interpretation of the famous work. Once again we have seen what an amusing person Mr. Leviev actually is. Sometimes, while on the move, he changes the score, adding new things, and giving up other things. He is emotional but at the same time puts much wisdom into everything he does. The way in which music takes place is different and this provokes creativity in all of us – the Big Band and the girls from the Cosmic Voices. Milcho Leviev is uncompromising where work is concerned. He is able to abandon even his own idea that he has been keen on. If one follows him in this process one will soon see that his logic is infallible. It is an amazing experience to work with such an artist - unconventional, virtually brimming with ideas at any moment. "

In about a month from now, the musicians are going to record the second part of The Journey and in the fall the album will come out on the market. The new project will be presented with a few concerts in the country.

English version: Daniela Konstantinova

The audio to this file features the following tracks presenting Milcho Leviev

1 – Sadovsko Chain Dance

2 – Stop, Wait