Trombone is one of those instruments that can be equally used in both classic music and jazz. Over the past years Velislav Stoyanov has done a lot for its popularization in Bulgaria. His latest project, named Vili’s Swinging Trombone comes to prove that. The musician traces in it the development of the instrument over the years, starting with American swing back in the 1930s. Vili presented unknown aspects of his trombone mastery on January 20 in a club downtown Sofia.

“This is a project I never had the time for. Trombone is much respected in the USA and many musicians have contributed to its quick development across many genres. I pay special attention to all this in my project. The formation will change, depending on the style and program from one concert to another. However, my main idea is to get the Bulgarian audience acquainted with trombone jazz music across the ocean. Our first concert included peaces of different American trombone players. I will give special attention to the style of J. J. Johnson in the next one and to his own works. Then I will carry on with another trombonist – Slide Hampton. Thus I think on developing the project in time, drawing attention to the romantic side of the genre.”

Years ago Vili Stoyanov established his own band – Brazz ViliDJ. The Blow Your Brainzz Out album was released with them and Vili used to sing in some of the pieces as well. Now the band is back to work with a club concert on February 10 in Sofia, with some formation changes. They also have 15 new pieces. A series of concerts is being prepared right now.

On January 27 Vili Stoyanov presented another interesting trombone project at a Sofia’s club, named T-Bone Party. He played onstage with his colleagues Atanas Karafezliev – a tutor at the Music Academy and first trombone of the BNR’s Symphonic Orchestra; Bozhidar Vasilev – creator of Southwick and Dimitar Stoev – a trombonist of the Big Band Brazz Association and Mango Duende. Jazz fans enjoyed old US pieces from the 1940s. On February 12 Vili kicks off on a tour with the Combo Brazz Association.

“Trumpet player Mikhail Yosifov and I have really wanted to tour around Bulgaria for a long time, in order to show the formation in other cities and towns. The thing is that we are no less than 7 and that means difficulties for the finding of a stage outside Sofia. However, after the experiment in Burgas we realized it wasn’t impossible and so we are now playing in Ruse /12.02/, Varna /13.02/, Burgas /19.02/, Veliko Tarnovo /20.02/, Stara Zagora /26.02/, Plovdiv /27.02/ and Gabrovo /11.03/. We will have two concerts at each spot. The first one will be in a hall and more like instrumental. Misho has created four new pieces for that purpose. Later on through the day we will go out with the funny and party mood of the Combo Brazz Association. That is why I think it will be very interesting.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev