Bulgarian violinist, singer, and actress Emanuela Kalcheva-Djaima performed a rendition of the traditional Bulgarian folk dance, Gankino Horo, at a concert marking International Jazz Day on April 30th, organized by the Jazz Society of Egypt. Djaima described her approach to music, stating that her style of jazz is a fusion incorporating traditional elements, including Bulgarian and Romani influences. She expressed a desire to continually evolve her artistry.
Reflecting on the performance, Djaima mentioned that the piece, known for its complex rhythm, was a long-held aspiration. She recalled advice from her father years prior to pursue Bulgarian music, a suggestion she initially resisted but later embraced after performing the dance. The performance featured Djaima alongside Amro Salah, the founder of the Jazz Society of Egypt and Cairo Jazz Festival, who has ties to Bulgaria, supported by Andre Segone on bass and Fady Tawab Louis on drums.
Djaima noted the collaboration was enjoyable for the musicians in Egypt. The audience at Arkan Teatre in Cairo responded enthusiastically to the Gankino Horo. Djaima elaborated on the nature of the performance, explaining that it blended improvisation inherent to jazz with the mathematical precision required by the 11/8 rhythm of the dance.
After graduating from the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, she lived in Paris for nearly three decades before moving to Cairo during the pandemic to teach music. Currently, she is involved with the trio Sacree Femmes, which features collaborations with American cellist Kira Weiss and Egyptian musician Safa El-Helaly, who plays the rababa.
Topics: #jazz #bulgarian #djaima
What a wonderful way to celebrate Jazz Day by blending traditional Bulgarian music with the genre!
How does incorporating a traditional folk dance like Gankino Horo into a jazz-themed event reflect the artist’s broader musical philosophy?