In recent months percussionist Christo Yotsov and his quintet have been presenting their new album "Jazzball". 

“Jazzball is not a new type of sport but a new music album. This pun occurred to me when I was trying to think of a title for the album,” Christo Yotzov says. According to him there are similarities between music and sport.

“What we do is actually a game", Hristo Yotzov explains. "There are special rules that must be followed in music. Naturally, talent is also needed. One must also be stubborn, willing to sacrifice in the name of development. And last but not least – one should have respect for their colleagues. It is important to make things real. "Jazzball" unites known performers as Misho Iosifov (trumpet) Mitko Liolev (saxophone). Bassists Mitko Karamfilov and Boris Taslev also took part in the project. Milen Kukosharov plays the piano. He plays one of my favorite instruments - a Rhodes from 1971. Some time ago I bought it from Rumen Toskov-Rupeto. It's too heavy to carry around and is rarely used for concert performances. I want to point out that guitarist Shibil Benev also played in the album. He is a great musician who has been working abroad in the past years. I hope he will soon return so we can perform together again."

© Photo: private archive

Popular singer, composer and arranger Christo Yotzov is also a professor of percussion in the National Academy of Music in Sofia. 

“I want all the boys and girls who are working to become true artists, not just good musicians. Every Wednesday in the Academy we organize jam sessions with young musicians. We get together and play mostly jazz standards, but the big idea is help with the professional development of young musicians. A week ago we had a concert in the "Studio 5." It was a very nice experience. It is remarkable to see so many young people who are inspired and full of enthusiasm. Today it is quite interesting to be a teacher. Students have great access to information that we could not even dream of. On the one hand, this is very useful but one can get lost in a sea of names and styles. Thus achieving your own style is difficult. I do not teach my students with a pencil in my hand. I have to perform and that is why you have to be in good shape.”

After about a month Christo Yotzov is to perform in the city of Varna together with pianist Mario Stanchev, who has been living in France for decades.

“I am happy that we are soon to realize the project with Mario Stanchev. He has performed at various concerts in Bulgaria, but I wanted to organize a whole program with his participation. On July 24 we are to have a concert in the Bulgarian National Radio. On July 26th we are to perform at the jazz festival in Varna. I would like to say that one of my bright memories is the "Jazz Focus" concert at the Music School in Sofia. I performed with Mario Stanchev for the first time at this event and the concert seriously affected my development as a musician.”

English evrsion: Alexander Markov