Zhivko Vasilev

About Zhivko Vasilev

Zhivko Vasilev is a prominent Bulgarian kaval player, composer, musician, and educator, celebrated for his innovative blend of traditional Balkan sounds with Western contemporary styles such as jazz, funk, Latin, pop, and electronic music, creating a unique and exotic musical identity. He is known for his experimental approach to the kaval, even developing a glass version of the instrument to explore new timbres. Vasilev leads his own projects, including Outhentic and the Zhivko Vasilev Quintet, both of which fuse Bulgarian folklore with contemporary Western influences, and is also a member of the internationally recognized band Arifa. In his latest endeavors, Vasilev actively works as a media composer, collaborating with companies such as Euro Games Technology, Huawei, and Coca Cola since 2022. In 2023, he received first prize in a composition competition organized by Palms Music and The National Music Academy “Pancho Vladigerov” for his piece titled “La Andaluza”. Most recently, on November 14, 2024, he performed with the Chamber Orchestra “Sofia Soloists,” conducted by Konstantin Dobroikov, presenting premiere compositions and new arrangements in Sofia. His latest album, “Places,” released in 2021, is an entirely instrumental work featuring 10 original compositions that seamlessly blend Balkan, Oriental, American jazz, and classical European traditions. Furthermore, he has developed the first online music course for beginner kaval players and his recent compositions have been influenced by his work in creating game music.