Veleka Tsankova – vocals
Alexander Milanov – trumpet
lexandre Meransien, Arnau Garrofé – saxophone
Stanislav Arabadjiev – piano
Borislav Iliev – guitar
Vasil Hadjigrudev – double bass
Boprislav Petrov – drums
Hailing from Sofia, The Oldie Goldies transcend conventional musical categorization, establishing themselves as sonic historians who meticulously reconstruct the golden era of swing. This distinguished ensemble, comprising Bulgaria’s most accomplished instrumentalists alongside international talents, serves as a living bridge between 1920s jazz vernacular and contemporary performance practice.
Originally conceived in 2019 through drummer Borislav Petrov’s visionary initiative, the ensemble has evolved from modest beginnings into a formidable octet. Their current artistic configuration features: Veleka Tsankova’s sophisticated vocal interpretations, а brass section combining Alexander Milanov’s trumpet mastery with the saxophone virtuosity of Alexandre Meransien and Arnau Garrofé, and a rhythm section anchored by Stanislav Arabadjiev’s piano artistry, Borislav Iliev’s guitar work, Vasil Hadjigrudev’s double bass foundation, and Petrov’s dynamic percussion.
Their 2021 debut at Sofia Swing Dance Festival marked a watershed moment, establishing the ensemble as standard-bearers of authentic swing revivalism. The 2024 release of their inaugural album Happy Feet represents a curatorial achievement, featuring fifteen meticulously crafted arrangements that balance reverence for canonical works by Waller, Goodman, Basie and Ellington with innovative contemporary sensibilities.
With an expansive repertoire exceeding seventy compositions, including seminal interpretations of All of Me and Come Rain or Come Shine, the ensemble has developed a signature performance aesthetic. The Oldie Goldies’ artistic practice exemplifies how archival fidelity and creative reinterpretation can achieve symbiotic perfection in jazz preservation.