Singer Nina Nikolina has long been known for her interpretations of Bulgarian folk songs in jazz arrangements, which she has recorded and released in several albums. Ergen Deda ("Bachelor Deda") is the latest single from Nina Nikolina's concert album "Jazz & Traditions Vol.2". This humorous song from the Shopluka region, in an ethno-jazz arrangement by Kalin Velyov, will also set the mood at Nina Nikolina and her band's concert tonight, November 2, in Sofia. The concert programme will include her folk songs as well as her pop hits, interpreted in jazzy, funky, R&B and electronic dance sounds.

"Throughout my musical career I have been trying to get more people to appreciate Bulgarian folklore. Especially among young people, because if we don't pass on the tradition, it will disappear. Bulgarian folklore is very interesting and beautiful. It is also funny, there are so many interesting stories in it that we think have been forgotten, that they only existed in their time, or in libraries and old collections - and that is not the case. So I often crack open the song collections and find beautiful songs, funny songs, excellent to do together with the band.

"Ergen Deda" is a song I came across when I was very young, I first heard it in my mother's choir - she was the conductor, Rossitsa Gospodinova. The most popular version of "Ergen Deda" is by the composer Petar Londev. However, we made this song in Kalin Velyov's arrangement, which is based on the melody of the authentic version. With the help of a very close friend of mine, an associate professor at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Veselka Toncheva - we came up with a text that is a continuation of the popular version, and it is a bit spicier than the text we all know. I'll be waiting for you on 2 November to tell you about it!