programs and events
Renowned Jazz Musician Randy Brecker Returns to Bulgaria after 21 years
On a fall evening in a perfect setting for jazz, renowned American trumpeter Randy Brecker joined the Ventzi Blagoev Band for an unforgettable event at the Plovdiv concert hall on October 9 as part of the International Festival Plovdiv Jazz Nights 2009. The evening marked Randy Brecker’s return to Bulgaria after 21 years when, during a State Department sponsored tour, he performed during the Spring of 1988. For this year’s concert which was conducted in front of over 600 fans and dedicated to his late brother Michael, Brecker was joined by some of the same musicians he inspired during his last visit to this country. Bulgaria’s own Venzi Blagoev helped to organize this concert, performed with Brecker,and was joined by his band members Plamen Karadonev (piano), Trifon Dimitrov (bass), Dimitar Dimitrov (drums), and Atanas Popov (guitar). The State Department also sponsored this return trip by Brecker where he is also celebrating the success of his album Brazil where he won a Grammy award in 2008. Cultural Attaché Sherry Keneson-Hall opened the concert with a warm welcome to Brecker and his fellow musicians.
The concert was taped by BNT for a later broadcast.