Jazz fans already know – Bansko becomes the jazz capital of Bulgaria at the height of summer! This year, for the first time, the festival will last ten days – from August 1 to 10. The 28th edition of the Bansko Jazz Festival will feature performances by some of the best artists from the Bulgarian and international jazz scenes.

At the foot of the Pirin Mountains, jazz will come to life on the Main Stage, the World Stage, the Young Talents Stage, in the Jazz Academy and in various jazz spots throughout the mountain town. Audiences will even get to see children taking their first steps into the world of jazz.

The events within the musical forum are many and varied, but the spotlight is on the performers, among whom are stars such as: John Beasley Trio, Gabriel Palatchi Trio, Catherine Russell Trio, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, Anat Cohen Quartetinho, Dimitris Vassilakis, Sultan Stevenson Trio, Ken Okada Group with Hristo Vitchev ft YOYOKA, New York Voices, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone Quintet with Peter Slavov, etc.

The rich Bulgarian participation includes various projects featuring many beloved performers such as: Camellia Todorova, Hristo Yotsov, Angel Demirev, Velislav Stoyanov, Mihail Yosifov, Dimitar Liolev, Borislav Yasenov, Stoyan Yankulov, Arnau Garrofé and many other established and talented musicians.

One of them is accordionist Kaloyan Kumanov, who, together with his Kaloyan Kumanov Quintet, will present the project "Accordion Impressions". His unconventional musical style blends jazz, tango, ethnic, progressive rock and blues. His composition "Yngwienyada" is inspired by the renowned guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, known for his neoclassical heavy metal style. Using elements from several of Malmsteen’s pieces, along with music by Greek musician Panos Arvanitis, Bulgarian Kaloyan Kumanov adds his own musical touch to create "Yngwienyada".

"No one has ever played Yngwie's music on accordion before. I'm the first musician in the world to play progressive rock on the accordion. I've already established myself in this style", says the musician.

His skills even impressed Yngwie Malmsteen himself, who, after hearing "Yngwienyada" by Kaloyan Kumanov, exclaimed: "Congratulations to this guy! He's different!"

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: BGNES-archive; banskojazzfest.bg; facebook.com/BanskoJazz; Kaloyan Kumanov's private archive