Lilly Ilieva - jazz vocalist

Bio

Lilly was only 3 years old, when she performed for the first time on the stage and never stopped ever since. Her childhood was filled with music and concerts, being part of a children group. With time, the young singer decided that she wants to turn her hobby into a profession. Her passion for Jazz music appeared in 2005 and in 2008 she won a 2­nd place at the "European Competition For Jazz Vocalists" that took place in Bulgaria. The same year Lilly was honoured with the "Special Award" of the famous Greek jazz singer Vicky Almazidu. In 2009 the singer decided to move to the Netherlands, where she had the wonderful opportunity to gain experience by studying with musicians such as Robin Eubanks, John Clayton, Freddie Bryant, Ralph Peterson, Don Braden, David Berkman and JD Walter among others. While in there, vocal teaching and composition became her passion. Lilly formed her own jazz quartet, that performed her compositions and arrangements of jazz standards. After a while her roots drove her into a new direction with the folk/jazz project "Songs Of Aeon", where she is a co leader. Bulgarian folklore melodies are the main source of inspiration and basis for the jazz oriented arrangements. The singer was asked to join two Big Band formations, which realised concerts in Germany. Other than that she performed regularly in the Netherlands with her projects. In 2012 she moved to Barcelona, Spain where she explored the local jazz scene. She gathered a small group of singers and called it "Acapella". Once again the folk influence came along and the singer found herself composing a choir pieces with folk/jazz direction and arranging Bulgarian folklore melodies to be sang Acapella. ​ Currently, Lilly is working with her projects which involve both - Bulgarian and foreign musicians.