In 1991 Dimitar Dimitrov - drums and Georgi Georgiev - bass created the “Lira Jazz Project Quintet" and began to perform compositions by John Coltrane and participate in jazz festivals in Europe and Russia. In 1996 they both went to the United States. Georgi went to Boston, while Dimitar went to New York. Among their partners on stage are saxophonist Matt Marantz and bassist Alex Goodman, with whom they performed at this year’s International Jazz Festival in Bansko.
Georgi Georgiev plays acoustic and electric bass. He began his career with legendary Bulgarian musicians of the quartet of Jordan Kapitanov abd the Band of Lyudmil Georgiev, The Sofia Orchestra and others.. In the period 1986 – 1996 he was teaching bass guitar and jazz history at the "Pancho Vladigerov" Music Academy. In the US, he is also known as a poet and philosopher, and has several published books.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Matt Marantz grew up in a musical family. He graduated from Booker T. Washington Arts Magnet, gaining early recognition for his talent. After graduation he moved to New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music. He took part in the Monterey Jazz Festival in California, Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, TIM Jazz Festival in Brazil. In 2010 he released his debut album "Offering" – a collection of his original songs performed by his New York-based band, part of which are guitarists Steve Cardenas and pianist Sam Harris. In collaboration with his brother - pianist Lucas Marantz, he recorded "The Primary Colors".
Guitarist and composer Alex Goodman has released four albums as a band leader, including "Bridges", nominated for a JUNO for contemporary jazz album. He has performed at a number of prestigious stages, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, Massey Hall in Toronto, ABC Studios in New York City. He has worked together with world jazz stars such as Dick Oats, Tim Rice, Rich Perry. This is his first time in Bulgaria and he has been impressed by a number of things.
"There I play and meet with people who charge you with positive energy”, Dimitar Dimitrov explains. “Bulgaria is geographically isolated from the world. We were not used to travelling much in the past. Even the most interesting projects reach a relatively small audience. Our country is just too small. I have always tried to be analytical and extrovert, but I have my madness and spirit for adventure. I have always tried to help my talented younger colleagues. In the beginning I studied jazz without understanding what it is. I used to go to concerts alone and catch the magic of jazz. It may sound strange but my best jazz teachers are the actors from the La Strada Theatre of director Tedi Moskov. I had a tour with them and I learned invaluable lessons about improvisation on stage and improvisation as a way of life. This is what I see constantly in New York, in the contacts between people and between musicians."
The audio file contains statements of Dimitar Dimitrov and Alex Goodman and performances of the band
English: Alexander Markov
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