ZHIVKO VASILEV

PLACES (23rd April)

Release: 23rd April 2021

In Places renowned Bulgarian musician Zhivko Vasilev picks up his Kaval (a traditional Eastern-European flute) and leads the listener on a journey through the Balkans, over the Orient and across the USA.

Picking up a host of musicians along the way, the 11 original compositions seamlessly blend contemporary jazz with the Bulgaian folk songs that served as inspiration.

This fusion runs deep, throughout the songs. In his playing, Zhivko not only showcases how convincing complex, fizzing jazz lines can sound on the kaval, but incorporates traditional Bulgarian ornaments and effects for a truly unique experience.

“These tunes were inspired by the essence of beauty and the stories of journeys. The moment when you leave a place and head for another, where you are bound to leave a part of yourself, again.” – Zhivko Vasilev

Recorded entirely live in a Sofia concert hall, the album involves fifteen musicians in various constellations, centered around a rhythm section of Borislav Petrov (from successful Dutch group Tin Men And The Telephone) and Martin Hafizi who share drum duties, Mihail Ivanov on bass and Dimitar Gorchakov on piano.

“The live recording brings a sense of closeness, transparency and acoustic purity. It’s there, we hope, that music can take you when the eyes cannot.”

Line Up

Zhivko Vasilev – Kaval
Dimitar Gorchakov – Piano
Mihail Ivanov – Contrabass/El. Bass
Borislav Petrov – Drums (Tracks: 6,8,10,11)
Martin Hafizi – Drums, Percussion (1-5)

with guests…