Hristo Yotsov – composer, conductor
Arnau Garrofé, Ivan Dimitrov, Ivan Ivanov (MKD), Christian Krastev, Venelin Georgiev – saxophone
Mihail Iossifov, Georgi Stoykov, Ivaylo Blagoev, Alex Vitkov – trumpet
Velislav Stoyanov, Ivan Melin, Max Stoyanov, Dimitar Stoev – trombone
Boris Taslev – double bass
Krassimir Zafirov – guitar
Nikolay Kostadinov – piano
Tsonyo Tsvetkov – percussion
Hristo Yotsov unveils his newest endeavor – a big band project featuring a stellar lineup of accomplished musicians, each distinguished by remarkable artistry and extensive professional experience.
Yotsov possesses rich experience performing with similar ensembles – between 1982 and 1989, he served as the drummer for the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band, subsequently composing and arranging over 160 original works for the orchestra. In collaboration with pianist Antoni Donchev – his artistic partner since 1984 – they founded the iconic group Acoustic Version. With this formation, they earned distinguished accolades at two of Europe’s most prestigious jazz festivals: Hoeilaart (Belgium, 1985) and Leverkusen (Germany, 1986).
Hristo Yotsov has established himself as one of the most innovative and influential figures on the contemporary Bulgarian jazz scene – a virtuoso instrumentalist, esteemed educator, and prolific composer and arranger of works for jazz ensembles, big bands, as well as symphonic and theatrical productions. His discography comprises over 30 albums, released in collaboration with both Bulgarian and international record labels.
The current program features exclusively his own compositions, spanning nearly four decades – from his earliest piece written in 1982 to his most recent, completed in 2020. These works are characterized by a rich tapestry of styles and moods, vibrant solo passages, driving rhythms, and electrifying vitality. Uniting them all is the lush, unmistakable sound of the big band – a sonic hallmark of jazz history and an enduring symbol of its power and dynamism.