The fourth edition of Jazz Forum Stara Zagora starts today. The stage will be once again situated in the Augusta Traiana antique complex and will gather the best Bulgarian jazz musicians for the fourth year.

The idea behind the festival belongs to renowned Bulgarian trumpet player Ventsislav Blagoev, who is also the artistic director of the festival. He told us more about the event.

“A number of swinging jazz operas will be presented. Of course, the most famous of them is Porgy and Bess and it will be performed by the Big Band of the BNR and trumpeters Mihail Iosifov and Rossen Zahariev. It will be an interesting program including various arias performed by Militsa Gladnishka along with Mihail Iosifov sextet. It is not a coincidence that Militsa, who is a jazz singer and actress, took up this difficult task. She has been studying classical singing and piano for a number of years and has no problem with the complex arrangements. The “Jazz Budeshte” formation is a students’ band especially created for the forum. Students from the New Bulgarian University, the Pancho Vladigerov National Music Academy and the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan, Italy, take part in it. Zhivko Petrov will present his new album in the third day of the festival. The Military Big Band from Stara Zagora with Captain Tsvetomir Vassilev are an irreplaceable part of the forum, too. They not only participate in the program, but are part of the organization. Without their wonderful energy we would not have succeeded. Visitors will also see a performance by new Bulgarian vocal phenomenon Lily Ilieva, together with musicians who have graduated from the music academy in Groningen. The band performs works of great jazz vocalists, works by Cole Porter and others.

The big name in the festival this year is Jerry Bergonzi. I have never imagined that this great musician will perform on our stage. He is one of the 5 most renowned saxophonists of our time and will perform on June 12. His books are the most sought after materials and show the highest level in jazz improvisation. Day after the concert, he will have a free master class in Stara Zagora. After that he will hold a master class in the National School of Music in Sofia. This is a present by the Municipality of Stara Zagora, organizer of the festival, to all those wanting to touch upon the heights of Bergonzi’s improvisational art. "

In Stara Zagora U.S. jazz musician Jerry Bergonzi will be on stage together with pianist Plamen Karadonev and singer Elena Koleva, who have been living for years in Boston. Famous Bulgarian drummer Hristo Yotzov will also perform. The program also includes singers from the Spectrum Ensemble. Soloist of the Traiana a cappella ensemble in Stara Zagora, which this year celebrates 30 years since its creation, will also join the others on stage for a few songs.

English: Alexander Markov