On 23 October, Vladimir Karparov’s original music will take the stage at In The Mood Jazz Club. The ensemble he has brought together also features Nikolay Kostadinov on piano, Dimitar Karamfilov on double bass and Hristo Yotsov on drums. Four distinctive musical voices come together for a programme of Karparov’s compositions, bringing a new live dimension to his unmistakable creative style.
His music is both unique and expressive. In his original music, the saxophonist combines harmonic structures rooted in the sophisticated tradition of American modern jazz with the rhythmic and melodic richness of Bulgarian folk music. Playful ornamentation and expressive melodic lines give this remarkable synthesis a vivid, original character.
An artist with diverse musical inspirations, Karparov broadens his creative horizons through tango, classical music, Turkish and Arabic sounds, and Romani rhythms. An instrumentalist and established composer, he moves effortlessly across genres, weaving these influences into his rich musical world. Having long found his own artistic voice, Karparov is one of the most distinctive figures in contemporary Bulgarian jazz.
Vladimir Karparov has lived and worked in Berlin since 2002. In 2020, he received an award from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Culture for his contribution to promoting Bulgarian culture around the world. He has performed and toured with Ivo Papazov, Nedyalko Nedyalkov, Theodosii Spassov, Martin Lubenov, John Hollenbeck, Diego Piñera, Nenad Vasilić, Babylon Orchestra and many others.
His discography includes “Thracian Dance” (2007), “Live at BNR Sofia” (2008), “Forkolor” (2014), “Antihypocrisyl” (2016) and “Iglika” (2022). In 2024, Balkan Spirit Ensemble released “Balkan Fever”, produced by Karparov and featuring his arrangements of most of the compositions.
At In The Mood, this rich musical world will come alive through the dialogue between the four musicians. Karparov’s saxophone will lead them through rapid melodic lines, asymmetrical metres, polyrhythmic structures and dynamic turns, drawing the audience into the emotion and power of music-making across genres. And in the next moment, the delicate thread of melancholy running through his music will emerge once again.