Projects
Led by Bulgarian-born performer-composer Milen Kirov, Orkestar MÉZÉ established itself as a musical powerhouse in a short period of time. Since 2011 this 11-piece ensemble has gathered a large following through their raucous, joyous live shows where fans of all ages and walks of life dance to the band’s original high-energy groovy sound. Featuring a powerful 6-piece horn section, the band’s unique sound is a mix of classic American funk and soul with fiery traditional Bulgarian and Balkan odd rhythms and slippery modal melodies. The members of the band hail from Bulgaria, Italy, Turkey, New Zealand, Canada, and the US and this diversity is evident in their unique style they branded "peasant funk", which is sure to make you dance uncontrollably.
The band’s debut album "Peasant Funk" was released on November 11, 2011 to rave reviews by critics and audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Online and print media have enthusiastically embraced the record calling it "a magician's hat that you can reach into and pull out anything your heart desires" and "a musical concoction that is equally appetizing to the refined music connoisseur and to the enthusiastic casual listener".
Orkestar MÉZÉ released their eagerly anticipated self-titled sophomore record on June 16, 2015. Special guests featured on the album include “The Ambassador of Soul” Ellis Hall (Tower of Power, Ray Charles), the Bulgarian kaval virtuoso Theodosii Spassov, Miroslav Tadic - one of the most unique and celebrated guitarists of our time, and the legendary Bulgarian composer, musicologist, and gadulka specialist Todor Kirov. The single “Love Revolution” featuring the voice and keyboards of the incomparable Ellis Hall has been picked up by radio stations from the US to New Zealand and the band is gathering more and more attention and fans from all corners of the world.
This annual competition was founded in 2015 by Dr. Milen Kirov and other former students of the renowned Bulgarian piano pedagogue Stella Oslekova. Its main mission is to provide support to talented young performers and help with the development of their future careers.
Jury members and main organizers of the competition are Cultural Association eNikMa, which includes members of the Wiener Philharmoniker, Wiener Symphoniker, and Ensemble "eNikMa", as well as former pupils of Stella Oslekova.
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