BIG BAND OF THE BNR

The Big Band of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) was founded in 1960 and has been working ceaselessly with prominent Bulgarian and international musicians since then. Antoni Dontchev took the baton in 2010, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the orchestra. The Big Band brings together some of the most renowned Bulgarian instrumentalists. Among the special guests invited to perform with the Band are high-profile Bulgarian and international jazz musicians such as Milcho Leviev, Christo Yotzov, Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, Kurt Elling, Randy Brecker, Conrad Herwig, and many others.

The Big Band records pieces that are then added to the repository of the Bulgarian National Radio. These include works especially created or arranged for the Band, jazz standards, and various projects dedicated to ethno music, funk, pop, and rock. In 2017, the orchestra won the Golden Coin honorary mark for its contribution to the development of Bulgarian culture.

Antoni Dontchev is a musician who navigates diverse forms of musicianship with ease and skill, seamlessly combining a variety of jazz styles, folk, and classical music in all their aspects. His name is associated with prestigious Bulgarian jazz events over the past 20 years. He is the co-founder of the Acoustic Version ensemble, which won the grand prize at the Hoeilaart competition in Belgium in 1985.

Antoni Dontchev’s career boasts projects with world-class musicians such as Tommy Smith, Joe Lovano, Kurt Elling, and others. He has recorded with the Symphony Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio and composes film and theater music. His music is released by labels such as BMG, Balkanton, Sony Music, Polysound, Kuker Music, and others. Antoni Dontchev is the recipient of numerous awards and has been the lead conductor of the BNR Big Band since 2010.