SMOOTH AND SILKY SOUL JAZZ FROM BULGARIA

Valentin Vasilev is a smooth jazz guitarist and a very good one. His knowledge of the genre is substantial. He plays with a passion and feel that is so reminiscent of the more famous well seasoned front-men of the best New York and LA jazz clubs and concert halls. But Valentin is from and plays his music in Bulgaria.

That’s a long way from New York. 4873 miles to be exact. Yet, this dude plays jazz as if he lives upstairs above the Village Vanguard. Ok, so why Jazz? I asked Val. “This is the style in which I can express my soul, thoughts and passions”, he said. Very simply put but that also really says a lot about why he chose smooth jazz. That sub genre is ripe for expression of moods, passion and all things love and sexy. A few listens of Valentin’s miusic and you’ll be poking your significant other in short time.

Varna, is a city of just over 300000 people on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It has a vast history going as far back as 1000 BC and has preserved and protected it’s heritage with impecable detail. No wonder 61% of it’s economy is from trade and tourism. But You would be hard pressed to find a Jazz club or even hear the music anywhere in the city or country for that matter. Valentin says “My music style is not popular in Bulgaria. Therefore, there is no stage for my art. You have much to love and believe in what you’re doing and wait for a chance … but not here unfortunately”.

You’ll here jazz at Val’s house. He grew up listening to jazz first hand. His father is also a guitarist. George Vasilev ( also know as Patschoka) taught Val to play starting at 15 years old. This was not just any ordinary guitar teacher. He’s a well known and respected recording artist in Europe. He is a fantastic player and its easy to see the influence he has had on Valentin.

Valentin’s other influences include West Montgomery, George Benson ,Lee Ritenour and Gary Moore. No surprise there once you’ve heard Valentin play.

What’s next for Valentin? “I’m filled with the ideas and energy and hope to meet the right people with whom to realize all my dreams” says the very humble artist. He definitely deserves a shot at that.

Valetin’s style and sound is one that is easily recognizable because it (among all those other smooth guitarists in the genre) stands out. It has it’s own character. He has a very different picking style than you would see in guitarist these days and that contributes to his sound. But Valentin has soul. He can bring out the deepest feeling in a track. His phrasing technique is among the best I’ve heard. Valentin is truly a diamond in the rough.

You can see and hear more of Valentin Click Here