Bulgarian jazz pianist and composer Dimitar Bodurov (b. 1979) has forged an authentic musical signature, combining jazz improvisation and classical composition with elements of folklore and electronica.
Since moving to Amsterdam in 2000, Bodurov has performed extensively throughout the Netherlands and Europe, primarily with his Bodurov Trio, solo piano, and other formations. He has received multiple awards, including a special mention at the Martial Solal Jazz Solo Piano Competition in Paris (2010).
As a leader, producer, and guest artist, he has released numerous albums on Dutch and Norwegian labels. In 2012, he founded Optomusic, a platform for collaborations with artists such as Theodosii Spassov, Sandip Bhattacharya, Michael Moore, among others.
Bodurov’s compositions—primarily chamber works—have been commissioned by major institutions and festivals including the Gergiev Festival Rotterdam, Operadagen Rotterdam, Holland Festival, Sofia Music Weeks, LeineRoebana Dance Group and others.
His most recent works include Inner Voice (2022) for trombone, string quartet, and electronica, commissioned by the renowned trombone player Jörgen van Rijen premiered at Concertgebouw Amsterdam; Reflector (2021) – a post-pandemic opera for trumpet, piano, chamber strings, and electronica based on short videos from people, reflecting on their experiences during the pandemic; Decagon (2024) – a modular suite in ten movements, each corresponding to and inspired by the integers from 10 to 1. Written for an ensemble of ten musicians, the piece unfolds like a polygonal spiral — each movement a side of a decagon, slowly converging toward a single point.
As an organizer, Bodurov has initiated projects such as Jazz and Vino (2009) and the Keys and Stix Festival (2007–2012), before taking on his current role as artistic director of the Radar Festival in his home town Varna, Bulgaria.
Dimitar has worked with celebrated musicians such as Trygve Seim, Randy Brecker, Didier Lockwood, Rick Margitza, Theodosii Spassov, Claron Mcfadden, and Gabriel Prokofiev.