Bulgarian violinist, singer, and actress Emanuela Kalcheva-Djaima presented a rendition of the traditional Bulgarian folk dance Gankino Horo at a concert marking International Jazz Day on April 30, organized by the Jazz Society of Egypt. Djaima described her approach to the genre, stating that her jazz style is a fusion incorporating traditional influences, including Bulgarian and Romani music. She expressed a desire to continually enrich existing musical forms with her own interpretations.
Performing Gankino Horo, which she noted for its complex rhythm, was a long-held goal for the artist. Reflecting on the piece, Djaima recalled her father’s advice to master Bulgarian music if she wished for international recognition, an advice she now feels validated by her performance. On stage, Djaima performed with Amro Salah, founder of the Jazz Society of Egypt and the Cairo Jazz Festival, who has deep ties to Bulgarian culture, alongside Andre Segone on bass and Fady Tawab Louis on drums.
The performance was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience at Arkan Teatre in Cairo. Djaima elaborated on the technical demands of the piece, noting that it required a blend of improvisation inherent in jazz and the precise execution of challenging rhythms, such as 11/8 time. A graduate of the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, Djaima lived in Paris for nearly three decades before relocating to Cairo during the pandemic to teach music.
Currently, she is involved with the trio Sacree Femmes, collaborating with American cellist Kira Weiss and Egyptian musician Safa El-Helaly, who plays the rababa.
Topics: #jazz #bulgarian #djaima
Bulgarian violinist, singer, and actress Emanuela Kalcheva-Djaima performed a rendition of the traditional Bulgarian folk dance Gankino Horo during a concert marking International Jazz Day on April 30