SIGHTS & SOUNDS Films presents:
-The Film Jazz is afraid to see!
ELECTRIC HEART don ellis (2007)
A Documentary Film by John Vizzusi
84Minutes, ENGLISH, Rated G
Movie Website: www.donellisfilm.com

ELECTRIC HEART, don ellis is the story of one of the most innovative musicians of the 20th Century. Ellis (1934-1978) fused together a mixture of Jazz-Classical-Rock and his own version of World Music long before anyone else had thought of doing it. He was the first to experiment with odd rhythms as well as introducing electronics into the world of jazz. His life, times & music is explored with interviews from musical giants such as Bandleader, Maynard Ferguson, Pulitzer Winning Composer, Gunther Schuller as well as Pianist, Milcho Leviev. Rare footage of Ellis not seen in 30-40 years overwhelms the film as Ellis attempts to take Jazz to new heights and never look back. Strangely, his life story and musical genius has almost been completely forgotten until now!

The Film is Magnificent and worthy of a PBS Telecast!
-Robert J. Robbins, Big Bands International Magazine

The Film is both Entertaining & Educational at the same time..
A truly masterful job and a solid piece of work!
-Rick Pamplin, Pamplin Film Company @ Universal Studios

A very serious portrait of one of the most important 20th Century music-makers.
-Milcho Leviev, Composer & Pianist

With special guest, solo pianist Milcho Leviev (former Ellis pianist) performing a musical tribute to Don Ellis.

About Milcho Leviev

Milcho Leviev is an award-winning composer, arranger, performer (pianist, keyboardist, conductor) and educator of classical and jazz music. Doctor honoris causa at the Academy of Music and Dance, Plovdiv, Bulgaria (1995) and the New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria (1998). Order Stara Planina - 1997 Presidential Award, Bulgaria. La Medale d'or de Academie Internationale des Arts, Paris, France. Lecturer, jazz studies department at University of Southern California in Los Angeles since 1988. Teacher, Grove School of Music, Los Angeles, 1974-1992. Music Director, "Comeback In" jazz club, Venice, California, 1981-1990. 1987 "Dramalogue" winner for Best Musical Director (USA). Arrangement of Dave Brubeck’s "Blue Rondo a la Turk" recorded by Al Jarreau's Grammy-winning album of 1982, Breakin' Away. Grammy Nomination for Best Vocal Arrangement of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation," recorded by Manhattan Transfer on their 1981 album, Mecca for Moderns. Co-leader of the jazz/classical quartet “Free Flight” voted Best Combo of the Year 1982 by the Los Angles Times. Contracted compositions, arrangements and performances for the American Jazz Philharmonic, the Beverly Hills Symphony, Sophia Philharmonic, the Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and others. Arranger at Hessisher Rundfunk 1970-'71, Music Director for the Big Band and the Pop Symphony of the Bulgarian Nationa Radio & TV, 1962-1966. Composer for Bulgarian features (animated and documentary films) 1963 -1968. Critic's Prize, Montreux Jazz Festival, 1967. Leader and pianist, jazz quartet “Focus '65” (1965–1970). Music director and composer-in-residence & and teacher at the State Drama Theater and Music Schools in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (1960-1962). Second Prize, International Youth Festival Composition Competition, Vienna, Austria 1959.

While in West Germany in 1970, Milcho defected from communist Bulgaria. He worked briefly with Albert Mangelsdorff, and then in 1971 moved to Los Angeles where he ultimately became a US citizen (1977). During this period, Milcho was a key member of the highly regarded Don Ellis Orchestra. His piano virtuosity and ability to play effortlessly in odd meters -- a skill that arose from familiarity with Bulgarian folk music -- were major contributions to the fruitful association with Ellis. In addition to playing piano in the Ellis Orchestra, Milcho composed and arranged, finding considerable rapport with Ellis's imaginative use of complex time signatures and incorporation of ethnic musical concepts. He contributed two chapters to Don Ellis's The New Rhythm Book. Milcho also worked with Willie Bobo (1973-4), John Klemmer (1975-9), and recorded an album with I. Subramaniam (1979), three albums with Billy Cobham (1974-5), and worked with Airto Moreira and Roy Haynes. In 1980, he recorded in London as the leader of a bop quartet that included Art Pepper. This famous quartet regularly recorded live at Ronnie Scott's Club in London. Milcho ably mixed the odd-metered tunes of his Bulgarian background with an excellent post-bop piano technique.

From 1971-1979, he toured and/or recorded with: Lainie Kazan (music director ), John Klemmer, Art Pepper, Gerald Wilson, Bill Holman, Eddie Jefferson, Mark Murphy, Ernie Andrews, Michael Franks, Willie Bobo, Roy Haynes, Billy Cobham, Carmen McRae, Airto, Flora Purim. Keyboardist, composer and arranger with the Don Ellis Orchestra (1971-1976). From 1980-83, he played and/or recorded with Charlie Haden, Joe Farrel, Eddie Harris, James Newton, and others. In the early 80s, Milcho worked with diverse groups: writing arrangements for Manhattan Transfer and recording with Al Jarreau, and founding the famous jazz quartet Free Flight. That group featured a fusion of jazz, rock, and classical music. During the Free Flight period, Milcho also performed and recorded as a member of Gerald Wilson's big band. One of Milcho Leviev's most impressive associations was formed with Charlie Haden. He continues to work frequently with many all-star jazz musicians in Los Angeles and elsewhere, playing with Ray Pizzi, Ray Brown, Buddy Collette, Oscar Brashear, and Mundell Lowe.

From 1983-1989, he did tours of Japan with bassist Dave Holland. At the L.A. Theater Center, he presented an expanded arrangement of "Rhapsody in Blue" for Valley Master Chorale and All-Star Jazz Combo, arranger and soloist). He did European tours in 1985 and 1986. He also presented "Sympho-Jazz Sketches" (American Jazz Philharmonic) Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (composer and soloist). From 1990-1993, he went on European solo tours (France, Germany, Switzerland, Bulgaria) including seminars conducted at the Basel Jazz School and the Varna International Music Festival. He also composed and performed "Orpheus Rhapsody" for piano and orchestra (commissioned by the National Endowment of the Arts for the American Jazz Philharmonic). In the early 90s, Milcho did numerous solo European tours, and in 1995 received an honorary doctorate and award on merit from the Paris Academie Internationale des Arts.

In 1994 and 1995, he was president of the jury at the International TV-Music Films Festival in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. He also performed a solo piano recital at Seal Beach Chamber Music Festival, California. From 1994-1996, he did tours in Bulgaria, Israel, Switzerland and Germany. In 1997, he performed at the gala 60th anniversary concert at the National Palas of Culture, Sofia, Bulgaria, and did concert tours in Switzerland, Austria and Germany. In 1998, he performed as part of the Leviev/Slon quartet, featuring Randy Brecker, Herbie Mann and Benny Golson at Vartan Jazz, Denver, CO

In 1999, he was a soloist for the Nuremberg Philharmonic. He also performed a concert of original chamber music in Sofia. He also closed the month of European Culture in Plovdiv; International jazz festival in Bansko. From 1990-2000, he was a lecturer on modern music at Elder Hostel, Desert Hot Springs, California. In 2000, he did concerts, and club appearances with trio Lesentu, Herbie Mann, Jack Sheldon, and others. In 2001, he taught a 10 days master class on "Formal, aestetical & social aspects of jazz music at NBU and performed concerts in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Brazil (with Sao Paulo Jazz Sinfonica). In 2002, he did a concert at the Big Conservatory Hall in Moscow. He was also named an honorary professor at New Bulgarian University that year.

Presently, Milcho Leviev is a lecturer on jazz composition and improvisation at the University of Southern California and frequently performs with The American Jazz Institute ensembles.

MJF Debut!

	Saturday Afternoon - September 20, 2008 / 5:30pm
	Jazz Theater (Film preview & discussion)