Jakez francois biography of michael jackson
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March 20, 2024
Rossitza Milevska is one of the most versatile and accomplished harpists working in the field of jazz today. Classically trained, she was first musician every to graduate from the jazz course of the Nice conservatory majoring in harp. In 2022, she caught the attention of Ibrahim Maalouf, who invited her to join his Free Spirit Ensemble with whom she performs regularly. We caught up with her ahead of her concert at the Espace Camac this week, and talked about music, development and inspiration.
Having grown up in Bulgaria, Rossitza’s first steps in the musical world were, in common with many European children, through the rarefied atmosphere of the conservatory: “I was immersed in the world of the great classical composers thanks to my training at a specialised music school where only classical music was honoured.”
Portrait by ©Marion Gris
Whilst this was certainly beneficial in terms of culture, this meant the musical diet was not exactly a broad one: “In those days, other genres were unfortunately relegated to the background. However, the discovery of the Internet and access to international radio stations marked a turning point in my musical life. I marvelled at the works of artists such as Earth Wind and Fire, George Benson, Whitney Houston,Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Babyface, George Michael, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Miles Davis…etc.”
This opening of possibilities led Rossitza to a profound artistic discovery that would govern her art in the future: “ I understood that music had to move you, and that you could feel even freer when you wrote your own music and dared to improvise.”
By necessity, it also made Rossitza musically resourceful: “My teenage years were enriched by friendships with actors who were passionate about Broadway musicals, which enabled me to learn to play famous themes by ear on the piano.
We also took down the sheet music for the songs, a real challenge in Bulgaria at the Note: this example list is not exhaustive. Please feel free to request songs not on the list! Aaja We Maahiya All Is Found from ‘Frozen 2’ All My Life – K-Ci & Jo Jo All Of Me – John Legend Amazing Grace – John Newton Amelie Theme Music – Yann Tiersen Angel – Katherine Jenkins / Sarah McLachlan Angelus – Renie Arabesque No. 1 – Debussy Aria from Goldberg Variations – J.S. Bach Aria from La Wally – A. Catalani At Last – Etta James At Last I See The Light from ‘Tangled’ – Alan Menken Au Matin – Marcel Tournier Auld Lang Syne – Trad. Autumn Leaves – Joseph Kosma Ave Maria – Bach Ave Maria – Schubert Ay Pilla – Love Story Bailando – Enrique Iglesias Balcony Scene from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – Craig Armstrong Ballade – Jakez Francois Beautiful Day – U2 Bella Notte – Einaudi Berceuse Russe – Tournier Berlin Song – Einaudi Better – Khalid Better Half of Me – Tom Walker Billie Jean – Michael Jackson Bittersweet Symphony – Verve Blue Fiver – Paul Lewis Bluebird – Alexis Ffrench Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon Bright Eyes – Art Garfunkel Burn from Hamilton But Not For Me from ‘Girl Crazy’ – Gershwin Butterfly Waltz – Brian Crain California Dreamin’ – Mamas and Papas Can You Feel The Love Tonight from ‘The Lion King’ – Elton John Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons Cavatina from ‘The Deerhunter’ – Stanley Myers The Chain – Fleetwood Mac Chahun Main Ya Naa – Aashiqui 2 Chal Le Chal Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol Chasing Pavements -Adele Cheap Thrills – Sia Cider House Rules Main Theme – Rachel Portman City of Stars from La La Note: this example list is not exhaustive. Please feel free to request songs not on the list! Aaja We Maahiya All Is Found from ‘Frozen 2’ All Of Me - John Legend Amazing Grace - John Newton Amelie Theme Music - Yann Tiersen Angel - Katherine Jenkins / Sarah McLachlan Angelus - Renie Arabesque No. 1 - Debussy Aria from Goldberg Variations - J.S. Bach Aria from La Wally - A. Catalani At Last - Etta James At Last I See The Light from ‘Tangled’ - Alan Menken Au Matin - Marcel Tournier Auld Lang Syne - Trad. Autumn Leaves - Joseph Kosma Ave Maria - Bach Ave Maria - Schubert Ay Pilla - Love Story Balcony Scene from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ - Craig Armstrong Ballade - Jakez Francois Beautiful Day - U2 Bella Notte - Einaudi Berceuse Russe - Tournier Berlin Song - Einaudi Better Half of Me - Tom Walker Billie Jean - Michael Jackson Bittersweet Symphony - Verve Blue Fiver - Paul Lewis Bluebird - Alexis Ffrench Bridge Over Troubled Water - Paul Simon Bright Eyes - Art Garfunkel Burn from Hamilton But Not For Me from 'Girl Crazy' - Gershwin Butterfly Waltz - Brian Crain California Dreamin' - Mamas and Papas Can You Feel The Love Tonight from 'The Lion King' - Elton John Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You - Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons Cavatina from 'The Deerhunter' - Stanley Myers The Chain - Fleetwood Mac Chahun Main Ya Naa - Aashiqui 2 Chal Le Chal Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol Chasing Pavements -Adele Cider House Rules Main Theme - Rachel Portman City of Stars from La La Land Clair de Lune - Debussy Clara's Theme from 'Doctor Who' - Murrey Gold Clocks - Coldplay Colours of the Wind from 'Pocahontas' - Alan Menken Come As You Are - Nirvana Dangerous Game from 'Thunderbirds' - Barry Gray Danny Boy - trad. Irish Danse D'Autrefois - Renie Deep River - trad. African-American Dietro Casa - Einaudi Dil Chahta Hai Do, Do We talked to three original Harp Column subscribers who are still reading “practical news for practical harpists” 25 years later. Find out why in this article extra. How much could you possibly say about the harp? Well, the answer to this question turns out to be, “Plenty.” For 150 issues, Harp Column has talked to folks in every corner of the harp community—the builders, the freelancers, the recording artists, the international stars, the up-and-comers, the instrument fixers, the risk-takers, and everyone in between. None of them have been short on insights or stingy with their wisdom, graciously sharing their knowledge with Harp Column’s loyal readers. We’re taking a look back at every cover interview since our first issue in 1993 and finding out where these movers and shakers of the harp world are today. (Want to read more? Click on any name to jump to the issue page where you can download that issue and read the full interview with your subscription to Harp Column.) Then Parisian harpist Magali Zsigmond had just won first prize at the 1993 International Jazz and Pop Harp Competition after moving to Boston to study jazz with Deborah Henson-Conant. What she told us When asked if winning the competition was important for her career, she replied, “I think it’s important for me personally. It gives me more confidence. I think, ‘Well I’m not that bad. Wow, it works. I can do it!’ So it’s more important for me in my head. It’s good to be recognized. But I think it’s more important for me inside.” Now In 2001, Zsigmond discovered the electric Celtic harp. She continues to perform in different jazz combos and has released four albums. Then Recently featured as the opening recitalist at the American Harp Society National Conference, Yolanda Kondonassis was
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Magali Zsigmond • July/August 1993
Yolanda Kondonassis • September/October 1993