Kalina Andreeva is just over 20 years old, but she has already gained the reputation of a talented double bassist, singer and author of music and songs. She created her first composition at the age of 4 or 5, when she made a melody and her father turned it into a children's piano play.

Kalina grew up in a family of outstanding musicians. Her father is Georgi Andreev - an established composer, conductor, arranger, gadulka player, chief conductor and director of the "Philip Koutev" Folklore Ensemble . Her mother, Neli Andreeva, is a famous folklore singer, a long-time soloist and choirmaster of the "Philip Koutev" Ensemble and the leader of the vocal formation "Nusha". Both of them started their creative journey from folklore, but left its borders. They have created music together with world famous names such as Milcho Leviev, Joss Stone, etc. Kalina was nursed with quality music from an early age, and her mother directed her to jazz, which Kalina started combining with ethno music.

After the music school in Sofia, where she graduated with a major in double bass, Kalina became a student at the "Pancho Vladigerov" Academy of Music - Sofia. Meanwhile, she participated in various formations and projects, and in 2023 she released her debut solo album "Direction". The idea for it was born years ago, but its realization came true after Kalina became part of trumpeter Mihail Yosifov's project "News in Jazz". Then, she heard her original ethno-jazz piece performed for the first time and this gave her the courage to start realizing her dream.

The styles woven into the album are all Kalina's favorites - funk, R&B, jazz, ethno, soul - everything she grew up with.

Kalina Andreeva is the author of the music, lyrics and arrangement of all the songs in her debut album "Direction". Alex Nushev made the recordings, in which, in addition to Kalina (vocals, double bass and synthesizer), Georgi Angelov (trombone), Alexandros Krasidis (saxophone), Krasimir Zafirov (guitar) and Ivaylo Manev (drums) also participate. Martin Vladimirov on gudulka is a special participant in the album.

Kalina told us more about her album "Direction":

"The album deals with the theme of faith, the problems in people’s life and how one can cope with all the stress of everyday life. This album is just my way of expressing myself and showing how I'm doing it. It's something I've always wanted to do, and I finally managed to do it!"

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: YouTube, bgma.bg