Background
Leviev, Milcho Isaacov was born on December 19, 1937 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Son of Isaac and Nadia (Panayotova) Leviev. came to the United States, 1971.
composer pianist jazz musician
Leviev, Milcho Isaacov was born on December 19, 1937 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Son of Isaac and Nadia (Panayotova) Leviev. came to the United States, 1971.
Milcho Leviev graduated from the State Academy of Music in 1960 majoring in Composition under Professor Pancho Vladigerov and in Piano under Professor Andrei Stoyanov.
His professional development as a composer began at the Drama Theatre in Plovdiv. He was appointed conductor of the Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio after Emil Georgiev left office (1962-1966). His vanguard ideas innovated the orchestra.
Pieces like Studia, Blues in 9 or Anti-waltz became a standard of a successful synthesis between music folklore and jazz, this synthesis being particularly pronounced in his music
From 1963 to 1968 he worked as soloist and conductor of the Sofia and the Plovdiv Philharmonic. Among the most exciting pieces in the repertoire of Jazz Focus "65 was Blues in 10 and Blues in 12, as well as the arrangement of Paul McCartney’s Yesterday.
In 1970 he left Bulgaria for political reasons and moved to Los Los Angeles He was allowed to perform in Bulgaria not earlier than 1980.
He worked as composer, arranger and pianist at the Don Ellis (1970–1975) Orchestra and the Billy Cobham Band (1971-1977).
He toured the United States of America and Europe. He was Music Director of Lainie Kazan (1977-1980). He gave concerts and made recordings with John Klemmer, Art Pepper, Roy Haynes, et cetera
He toured Europe with Pepper (1980-1982).
At the same time he was one of the founders and managers of Free Flight, selected Combo of the Year in 1982. Since 1983 he has been music director of the Jazz Sessions at the Comeback Inn in Venice, California.
He gave concerts in Japan with the bassist Dave Holland (1983-1986) and organized solo jazz recitals in Europe (1985-1986). He teaches Jazz Composition at the University of South California.
He also gives master classes at the New Bulgarian University in Sofia.
He is author of symphony and chamber works. Big band and jazz orchestra music, et cetera In the 1960s he also wrote film music
He was also awarded the honorary title Doctor Honoris Causa by the Academy of Music and Dance Art in Plovdiv (1995) and by the New Bulgarian University.
Member American Federation Musicians, National Academy Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy nomination 1981), American Society Music Arrangers (board directors), Broadcast Music, Inc., National Academy Jazz.
Married Rositza Nikolova (divorced 1973). 1 child, Yana Levieva. Married Deborah Rothschild, 1990.