Mihail Yossifov is one of the most successful young...

Mihail Yossifov is one of the most successful young Bulgarian jazzmen. He finished the trumpet class of Rusin Atev at the National Music High School “Ljubomir Pipkov”. Later he graduated from the National Music Academy “Pantcho Vladigerov” in the classes of Stojcho Radev and Angel Makedonsky. Cherishing the interest in jazz since his school days he formed ensembles with his classmates and performed at almost all the jazz forums in Bulgaria. After that he was demanded not only as a jazz musician but as a musician for recording many pop and rock projects, and film scores. Despite as a musician he has been active as an arranger and composer of film scores and music for plays. His credits also include many TV productions. Amongst the musicians he has collaborated with are Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Mezzoforte, Dephazz, Peter Herbolzheimer, Karen Bernod, Milcho Leviev, Theodosii Spassov, Аngel Zaberski, Antoni Donchev, Hristo Yotzov.
Misho has performed at jazz, pop and ethno festivals all over Europe – Sziget-Budapest, Exit – Novi Sad, etc. Twice he was in the cultural entourage of the Bulgarian President during his official visits to Sweden and the Czech Republic. In 2009 Mihail Yossifov was awarded with the Golden Lyre award as a Jazz Musician of the Year. The award is given by the Union of Musicians and Dancers in Bulgaria. Soon after that he got the Golden Pen award of Jazz FM and Classic FM Radios for a special merit to Bulgarian culture.
Mihail Yossifov creates music in his sextet accompanied by the most profound jazz musicians of Bulgaria who recently have been shaping the modern image of the genre (Milen Kukosharov – piano, Velislav Stoyanov – trombone, Atanas Hadzhiev – tenor sax, Dimitar Shanov – bass, Dimitar Dimitrov - percussions).

Atanas Hadzhiev (tenor sax) the saxophone player who shares great love to music started his education in the town of Stara Zagora and later he graduated Music Pedagogics in Plovdiv. He was one of the participants in the International Summer Academy for conductors guided by Karl Osterreicher in Vienna. Nasko plays with the Bulgarian Brazz Association and has a long list of TV and radio projects in his CV.
Velislav Stoyanov (trombone) graduated from the National Music High School “Ljubomir Pipkov” and then from the Instrumental Faculty of the National Music Academy “Pantcho Vladigerov”. Velislav Stoyanov is one of the names behind the foundation of music formations as Infinity & the Brazz Association. Being member of the bands Wickeda, Dirty Purchase, Coffee and Hipodil he took part in many festivals in Bulgaria and abroad. In his professional biography Vili has written joint playings with Jimmie Bosch, Franky Morales, Herman Olivera, Dave Weckl, Peter Herbolzheimer, Mezzoforte, Dephazz. 11 years Vili was a member of the National Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Since 2 years he plays with the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Dimitar Dimitrov (percussions) plays the percussions since the age of 12. In 1994 he graduated from the National Music Academy“ Pantcho Vladigerov” and in 1997 he took a Master degree in “Richard Strauss” Conservatory in Munich. Dimitar Dimitrov has participated in different jazz projects around Europe and in the USA. Since 1998 Mitko teaches percussions in New Bulgarian University where he is a professor. Lately he lives and works mainly in Bulgaria and participates in many jazz projects.
Dimitar Shanov (bass) graduated from the National Academy of Music “Pantcho Vladigerov” with bass guitar and double bass. Since 1986 he is member of the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band and is one of the most popular studio and jazz musicians in the country. Dimitar has participated in many jazz festivals in Bulgaria and abroad with different jazz formations. He took part in concerts in Germany, USA, Italy, Israel, Turkey. Among the well known Bulgarian musicians he played with are Yildiz Ibrahimova, Milcho Leviev, Theodosii Spassov, Angel Zaberski, Antony Donchev, Hristo Yotzov, Simeon Shterev, Vassil Petrov, Vili Kazasian, Ludmil Georgiev. Dimitar Shanov had joint concerts with world class musicians as Nathalie Call, Randy Brecker, Michel Legrand, Peter Herbolzheimer.
Milen Kukosharov (piano) is the youngest member of the sextet who has strong passion for jazz since his childhood. Milen began playing the piano at the age of 4. He graduated from music high school in his home town of Plovdiv and soon after that he moved to Sofia where he began to play with the most famous Bulgarian jazz musicians. Recently Milen participates in many pop & jazz projects and among the names he collaborates with are Theodosii Spassov, Camellia Todorova, Maria Ilieva, Orlin Pavlov, Grafa and Kalin Veliov. Milen was the guy on the piano at joint concerts with Dephazz, Franky Morales & Herman Olivera. Milen who used to be a member of the pop band Coffee at the moment plays also with the latin projects Tumbaito & Virgin Blend and.
One can hear in the program of Mihail Yossifov Sextet author’s compositions /all written by Mihail Yossifov/ as well as jazz classics presented in an especially virtuous manner and spiced by a good dose of humour. All plays arrangements are made by Mihail Yossifov.

Among the recent projects Mihail Yossifov Sextet performs are:

 Mihail Yossifov Sextet feat. the singer & guitar player Dani Milev – jazz arrangements of famous Bulgarian songs
 Sofia Swing City – Mihail Yossifov Sextet & DJ’s The Smugglers Collective - parties with the best of Swing, Rockabilly and Rock’n’Roll music
 Hollywood in the Hole – Mihail Yossifov Sextet feat Ben Cross /the famous English actor sings popular pop and rock songs done in jazz arrangements by Mihail Yossifov