site.btaNational Radio Big Band to Celebrate Its Long-Time Leader Yanko Miladinov with Concert

The Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) is holding a concert Thursday evening to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its long-time bandleader Yanko Miladinov.

Yanko Miladinov is a renowned pianist, arranger and composer. On his anniversary the BNR Big Band dedicates one of its projects, Big Band Jazz Academy, giving way to outstanding young musicians and singers on stage.

Among the performers Thursday are Arika Adams, Petar Petrov, Simona Dincheva, Maria Vandeva and three award-winning vocal formations, said BNR.

Yanko Miladinov was born in Sofia on February 14, 1943. He joined the BNR Big Band in 1969 as a pianist and stayed with the band for more than 40 years. He has participated in many radio and television broadcasts and has recorded and performed extensively with the ensemble at home and abroad. He took over the leadership of the Big Band from Vili Kazasyan in 1998 and led the orchestra until 2010.

He is the author of more than 250 songs and orchestral pieces and more than 300 arrangements for the Big Band.