Plamen Karadonev
Born in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria on June 8, 1977, Plamen Karadonev comes from a musical family. His father Dinko Karadonev was a choir director, educator, and accordionist. Plamen started playing the accordion at age five. He later fell in love with Bulgarian folk music and soon began playing the piano...
During his teenage years Plamen became fascinated by jazz and other contemporary styles and for the next few years he focused on recording some of his original compositions which meld folk and jazz. Soon after, Plamen participated at a number of jazz festivals and concerts and during his studies at The State Academy of Music, Sofia, Bulgaria he became the pianist of the National Radio Big Band.
A Berklee College of Music Scholarship brought Plamen to Boston in January 2001 where he found a whole new world of musical adventures. In the United States he has performed with some of the most respected jazz musicians currently on the scene including Randy Brecker, Gene Perla, George Garzone, Hal Crook, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Cobb, Richie Barshay and many more.
His debut album Crossing Lines receives national and international recognition among jazz critics and musicians. Influences include Eastern European folklore, Classical music including some 20th century composers, Jazz and other contemporary styles.