Milcho Leviev facts for kids

Milcho Leviev (born December 19, 1937 – died October 12, 2019) was a very talented musician from Bulgaria. He was a composer, which means he wrote music. He was also an arranger, meaning he changed existing music to fit different instruments or groups. And he was a fantastic jazz pianist, playing the piano in a special style called jazz.

Milcho Leviev's Musical Journey

Milcho Leviev was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He loved music from a young age. In 1960, he finished his studies at the Bulgarian State Academy of Music. He learned how to compose music from Pancho Vladigerov and how to play the piano from Andrei Stoyanov.

Early Career in Bulgaria

Leviev started his professional music career at the Drama Theatre in Plovdiv. From 1962 to 1966, he became the leader of the big band for Bulgarian National Radio. He brought many new and exciting ideas to the orchestra. For example, he wrote pieces like Studia, Blues in 9, and Anti-waltz. These songs mixed traditional Bulgarian folk music with jazz, creating a unique sound.

From 1963 to 1968, he also performed as a soloist and conductor with the Sofia and Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1965, he started his own jazz group called Jazz Focus '65. This group became very famous and toured until 1970. They won awards at jazz festivals in places like Montreux, Sofia, and Prague, making Bulgarian jazz known around the world.

Moving to the United States

In 1970, Milcho Leviev moved from Bulgaria to Los Angeles, USA. He continued his amazing music career there. He worked as a composer, arranger, and pianist for famous groups like the Don Ellis Orchestra (from 1970 to 1975) and the Billy Cobham Band (from 1971 to 1977). He traveled all over the U.S. and Europe, performing for many people.

He was also the music director for singer Lainie Kazan from 1977 to 1980. Leviev performed and recorded music with other jazz legends such as John Klemmer, Art Pepper, and Roy Haynes. He toured Europe with Art Pepper from 1980 to 1982. He also helped start a jazz fusion band called Free Flight.

In 1983, he became the music director for jazz sessions at the Comeback Inn in Venice, California. He played concerts in Japan with bassist Dave Holland from 1983 to 1986. He also gave solo jazz piano concerts in Europe.

Milcho Leviev shared his knowledge by teaching jazz composition at the University of South California. He also gave special classes at the New Bulgarian University in Sofia. He wrote many different kinds of music, including pieces for symphony orchestras, big bands, and jazz orchestras. In the 1960s, he even wrote music for movies.

Milcho Leviev passed away on October 12, 2019, in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Milcho Leviev received many awards and honors throughout his life. Even when he was a student, he won second prize at an international competition in Vienna for his piano piece called "Toccatina."

In 1987, he won the Drama-Logue Award for being the best music director. This award was given by the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Some of his music was published by well-known companies.

He also won a prize at the National Jazz Educational Congress and a Grammy Award for one of his arrangements. In 1995, he received the Honorary Gold Medal from the Académie internationale des Arts in Paris. He was also given an honorary doctorate (a special title that recognizes great achievements) by the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv in 1995, and by the New Bulgarian University.

Milcho Leviev's Albums

Milcho Leviev released many albums during his career, both as the main artist and as a guest musician with other artists.

Albums as the Main Artist

• Blue Levis (1978)
• What's New (1980)
• Blues for the Fisherman (1980)
• True Blues (1981)
• Plays the Music of Irving Berlin (1982)
• Music for Big Band and Symphony Orchestra (1983)
• Piano Lesson (1987)
• Destination (1987)
• Bulgarian Piano Blues (1990)
• The Oracle with Dave Holland (1992)
• Up & Down with Dave Holland (1993)
• Jive Sambas (1997)
• Man from Plovdiv (1999)
• Quiet Love with Vicky Almazidu (2004)
• Multiple Personalities (2006)
• Quiet March (2015)

Albums as a Guest Musician

With Billy Cobham

• Total Eclipse (1974)
• Shabazz (1975)
• A Funky Thide of Sings (1975)

With Don Ellis

• Tears of Joy (1971)
• Connection (1972)
• Soaring (1973)
• Haiku (1974)

With Roy Haynes

• Thank You Thank You (1977)
• Vistalite (1979)

With Gerald Wilson

• Jessica (1983)
• Calafia (1985)

With Dusan Bogdanovic

• Winter Tale (2008)

With other artists

• Al Jarreau, Breakin' Away (1981)
• Arif Mardin, Journey (1974)
• Airto Moreira, Virgin Land (1974)
• L. Subramaniam, Fantasy without Limits (1980)

See also

In Spanish: Milcho Leviev para niños