New album features works of Bulgarian jazz composers

published on 2/13/16 9:40 AM

Famous jazz musician Ventsislav Blagoev has gathered in one album works of 9 Bulgarian jazz composers who are representatives of several generations. He is a soloist of all the pieces, playing the flugelhorn, cornet and trumpet. The edition is the first of its kind in this country and Ventsi can boast with lots of activities – an international jazz festival organized in his native town of Blagoevgrad, the Live Zara Jazz series of concerts in the town of Stara Zagora and the International Jazz Forum grounded on it… He is also one of the soloists of the Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio.

Nova Bossa by Zhivko Petrov, performed by JP3

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Венцислав Благоев “I had a dream – to record a CD with the works of those jazzmen that I had been working with over the past 25 years – the ones who helped me build my taste for improvisation, for stylish music of good quality,” Ventsi wrote on the back of the CD. He also talks about his trumpet tutor at the music academy:

“My Prof. Karparov told me always to visit the bookstore of the Union of Bulgarian Composers whenever I am in Sofia. They used to publish the latest trumpet plays there and I bought them all. Later on, some 18 years ago, composer Atanas Gunov recorded an album with his plays, performed by the best jazzmen of that time. Then I had this idea to do the opposite – different composers, presented by one soloist. I did it last summer, thanks to Venelin Ganev, a professor of political science with the Ohio University. He was the first saxophone player that I worked with at the university ragtime band. Years ago Venelin sold his saxophone, in order to go to the USA and now he returns here with the idea to support good projects. That was how the album was released. We recorded it in the course of several months and it is now on the market, both here and abroad. There are at least 15 more names that I’d like to present in the next edition…”

VDB by Hristo Yotsov performed by Acoustic Version

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The album includes pieces of the most famous Bulgarian jazz pianists – Zhivko Petrov, Lyubomir Denev, Antoni Donchev and drum player Hristo Yotsov. You can also find the names of two Bulgarians, living abroad, in Bulgarian Jazz Composers. “The presentation of such musicians, living in foreign countries is one of my most important tasks,” Ventsi says and adds:

“I do it every time I have a chance. Mario Stanchev, residing in France has been a guest at both Live Zara Jazz and Jazz Forum Stara Zagora. He is really prestigious abroad. His piece “Jass” is included in the album. Dimitar Bodurov is the youngest composer that I present – he has studied and now lives in the Netherlands. I find it essential to establish that connection between the generations, without forgetting jazzmen abroad. I also think it is really important to get our kids acquainted with that music and the Jazz for Children project that I have been working on for several years is related to this desire of mine. Besides my work with the BNR’s Big Band, I perform every week in front of children and elderly people who love jazz. It takes time, but it’s worth it.”