Blue Levis

Bulgarian composer, arranger and jazz pianist Milcho Leviev was an innovative force in his homeland conducting the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band and as soloist and conductor of the Sofia and the Plovdiv Philharmonic. In 1970 he left Bulgaria for political reasons and moved to Los Angeles where he worked as composer, arranger and pianist for the Don Ellis Orchestra and Billy Cobham Band. He toured and made recordings with John Klemmer, Art Pepper, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland, Ray Brown, Charlie Haden and others, and was a founding member of Free Flight, the award winning jazz combo formed in the early 1980's. Presented here is Leviev's rare mid-1970's solo album "Blue Levis" leading his own quartet and featuring his own compositions plus an amazing version of Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage." the band is Milcho Leviev (piano); John B. Williams Jr.. (bass); Douglas Senibaldi (drums) and Chino Valdez (percussion). All selections newly remastered.