Hristo Vitchev – Jazz Guitarist!

Hristo Vitchev

Hey all. I was just sent a Press Release titled “The New Voice of Jazz Guitar: Hristo Vitchev debuts at the 53rd Monterey Jazz Festival“. This intrigued me because up until a few minutes ago I had never heard of Hristo Vitchev, so how could he be “the new voice of jazz guitar”? Upon visiting his site and checking out some of his audio clips, I must say he’s a nice player/composer in the vein of Metheny, but “the new voice of jazz guitar”?…well, that still needs to be determined. Have any of you heard about Vitchev? And if so, what are you comments? I’ll definitely do some more listening and will get back to you all at a later date.  For now, here’s the PR that was sent me and if you do happen to catch Vitchev live, let me know how it was. Take care all.

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Bulgarian jazz guitarist Hristo Vitchev might not be familiar to many yet, but his impressionistic jazz guitar styling and mesmerizing compositions will definitely not stay unnoticed for long.

Debuting at the 53rd Monterey Jazz Festival on September 18th, Hristo Vitchev will be premiering a brand new composition, with his internationally acclaimed quartet, which was inspired by the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon. “The Perperikon Suite” is a 7 movements jazz suite which combines jazz, classical, and impressionistic motives in what will become the guitarist’s third studio album to be released early next year. After the Monterey Jazz Festival performance “The Perperikon Suite” will be also presented at the world-class jazz club YOSHI’S in Oakland, California on October 4th <http://www.firstorbitsounds.com/eb/ve0810.html> .

The guitarists debut record “Song for Messambria http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hvq” (FOSM 111) http://www.firstorbitsounds.com quickly received outstanding reviews on the international jazz scene and was selected as one of the six best jazz records of 2009 by E-Jazz News.

Undoubtedly one of the more impressive CDs of the year from a virtual unknown, Bulgarian-born, San Francisco-based Vitchev is the guitarist to watch. Clearly gifted with a grasp of the jazz guitar’s many nuances, he writes probing and meditative melodies that linger long in the ear. The Pat Metheny-Egberto Gismonti-Jim Hall-factor appears to have had a strong influence. The passion, fluidity and enormous harmonic resourcefulness of bassist Dan Robbins, Zen-like pianist Iago Weber, and percussive master Joe De Rose rings through on all selections, especially the title track, “Waltz for Iago” and “The Road to Naklabeht.” by John Stevenson (E-Jazz News)

Vitchev is the newest guitarist to enter the national jazz scene and does so with a stunner of a recording in “Song For Messambria,” one of the finest debut albums I’ve had the pleasure of appraising this year.  Hristo Vitchev’s impressive “Song For Messambria” is an introspective view of modern jazz containing creative melodies and beautiful harmonies designed to embrace the tender side of the music producing a sound that is bound to capture broad appeal. by Edward Blanco (E-Jazz News)

Hristo’s second release with Brazilian jazz pianist and Latin Grammy Nominee Weber Iago is a duo session that captures the incredible and multidimensional harmonic concept of both players.  ”The Secrets of an Angel http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/vitcheviago” (FOSM 121) http://www.firstorbitsounds.com also received outstanding reviews by the jazz media and has been featured in radio stations all around the globe.

Vitchev’s tunes are all highly melodic and the duo’s improvising is tightly focussed and always supportive of the compositions. Vitchev and Iago have a rare chemistry and this is an album with the potential to appeal to a wide audience despite the sparseness of the instrumentation. The duo’s rich harmonic and melodic sense gives the music a fuller sound than the instrumentation might at first suggest. If you liked Vitchev’s quartet album or if you’re a Pat Metheny fan give “The Secrets Of An Angel” a listen, it’s a perfect mood piece and an album of some considerable charm.” by Ian Mann (http://Jazzmann.com- England)

“On the heels of his impressive debut recording – Song for Messambria, guitarist Hristo Vitchev returns along with pianist Weber Iago for a wonderful guitar/piano duet recording – The Secrets of an Angel. The gentle title track shimmers like a glistening iceberg on a cold sea. The delightful two-part “The Last Pirate” is a highlight – brilliantly showcasing the exciting romantic bend inherent in Vitchev’s music, while the the nostalgic lullaby “Leka Nosht (Good Night)” recalls a farway youth and rounds out this fine release.” by Brad Walseth ://JazzChicago.net)

To learn more about Hristo Vitchev and his music or to keep up to date with his latest releases, shows, and publications please visit:

http://www.hristovitchev.com
http://www.myspace.com/hristovitchev
http://www.facebook.com/hristo.vitchev
http://www.firstorbitsounds.com