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13th International Jazz Festival Bansko kicks off

Famous Jazz singer Yildiz Ibrahimova
Photo: BGNES
The town of Bansko opened the 13th International Jazz Festival 8 August. As every year, the pretty town, which is located at the foot of the Pirin Mountain, Southern Bulgaria, turns into a veritable capital of jazz. This year’s fest hosts 15 countries from around the world. What is more, it will run until 14 August, which is one day longer than usual. The 13th edition started with a pre-festival programme on 7 August. The concert was dedicated to Lea Ivanova, one of Bulgaria’s first jazz stars. Some of her popular songs were heard in the performance of singer Meri Taneva and Tony Zlatanov Band. Actress Desi Tenekedjieva presented her latest chill-out project Crazy Butterfly, featuring also Bobby Vylchev (piano), Mihail Yosifov (trumpet) and Kalin Veliov (drums). By tradition, the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band, conducted by Yanko Miladinov, opened the festival. The Band soloist was jazz vocalist Bianca Morales from Finland. We offer you next Bianca Morales and the piece General Strike.

The fest’s first night saw the long-expected concert of all-favourite jazz singer Yildiz Ibrahimova. In recent times, Yildiz has been living in Turkey; her participation in the jazz festival is part of a number of concerts in Bulgaria. Some exciting meetings with great world performers are yet to come! Incognito will be performing on 10 August. The band, which has gained wide recognition and various awards, has been nominated for the American Smooth Jazz Awards in the “International Group” category this year. In addition, one of the top soul singers of all times Solomon Burke will sing 11 August. A Grammy Award- winning singer and the performer of the hit Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, Solomon Burke is on a big European tour in July-August. You can also hear Burke’s piece Cry to Me.

The living legend of American jazz Benny Golson is also coming to the Bansko Jazz Fest. Many people associate the great performer with The Terminal, a movie starring Tom Hanks, whose character goes through various ups and downs only to get the signature of the popular sax player. If you are lovers of jazz, you can also hear Benny Golson on 13 August. Hungarian band Djabe, which is already well-known in Bulgaria, will be performing jointly with Steve Hacket, the ex-guitar player of Genesis. The ethno formation Lot Lorien from the coastal city of Varna will be playing first time in Bansko, after successful participation on several international stages. Eftekasat from Egypt and Tango Project from Israel are another two ethno-jazz and world formations. Antonio Flinta Quartet from Italy will also take part in the jazz event. Axel Zwingenberger, jointly with impressive American singer Lila Ammons will close the Bansko Jazz Fest. We wind up Radio Bulgaria’s event on the 13th International Jazz Festival Bansko with Central Avenue Boogie performed by Axel Zwingenberger and Lila Ammons.

English version: Vyara Popova
По публикацията работи: Albena Bezovska


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