Conservatory-trained Leviev straddles the boundaries of jazz and classical music with ease, often introducing swing rhythms and blues accents into a classical piece with unsurpassed subtlety. He combines different genres and textures with a beguiling ability to navigate through them, as if they comprise integral parts of a single theme. Leviev is equally at home in a jazz-funk setting, as in his collaboration with Billy Cobham, that was highly praised by jazz critics. Through time, Milcho Leviev has embraced many other kinds of music, including forays into haiku-inspired tunes with Don Ellis.
But first and foremost, during his long career, Milcho Leviev has been a great jazz pianist and composer. He has collaborated with many famous jazz musicians. His live performances at the Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London in 1980 with none other than Art Pepper have left a lasting legacy. The album «Blues for the Fisherman» (TAA/Mole, 1980) recorded on that occasion with Pepper is a real gem: the first video below provides a sample of the title track.
One of his most interesting collaborations was with the bassist Dave Holland, with whom he performed in Japan and recorded the album «Up and Down», that includes the track of the second video below, «Billy’s Bounce» (MA, 1993). Leviev’s discography is substantial and his numerous albums include «Blue Levis» (Dobre, 1978), that includes the track «Little John John» in the third video below.
Thessaloniki jazz fans have been fortunate to have a jazz pianist and composer of the calibre of Milcho Leviev in their midst, performing in the city’s jazz venues. Many happy returns to him and his jazz.
Mihalis Yianneskis
