Milcho Leviev was born in Bulgaria in 1937. Same year as my father. He was appointed as the conductor of the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band in 1962. He moved to Los Angeles in 1970. He worked with Don Ellis, Billy Cobham, Lainie Kazan, and Art Pepper.
Charlie had lots of respect for his piano playing. I remember my dad walking around saying “Milcho” a lot. I think Milcho conducted Liberation Music Orchestra when Carla wasn’t available, for a time.
I’m not sure when Milcho and Charlie first met. It had to have been before 1986, the year First Meeting was released. They played a duet gig at the Comeback Inn in 1983. Milcho was music director there.
Side one opens with their version of Ornette’s “When Will The Blues Leave”. Into the Miles Davis tune “Nardis”. They play a song co-written by the two of them, “Beaup”. Closes with “J.S.”, written by Milcho in collaboration with Bach.
I’ll post side two next week.
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Milcho Leviev + Charlie Haden: First Meeting (1986, Pan Music) Side One