News - USA, Washington, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

With a special gala jazz concert held at the prestigious Katzen Arts Center at the American University on June 4, the Embassy of Bulgaria in Washington, D.C. paid tribute to the American people on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.

The festive evening brought together a large audience, who enjoyed performances by the New York-based Asen Doykin Jazz Quintet, joined by special guest vocalist Ruth Koleva.

The New York-based musicians presented an original program that masterfully blended the traditional jazz music with the richness of Bulgarian folklore. Through her distinctive style and contemporary sound, Ruth Koleva showcased a modern and talented Bulgaria, adding a unique energy and spirit to the concert.

In her remarks, Chargé d’Affaires Stefka Yovcheva emphasized that Bulgaria and the United States are connected not only through strong strategic partnership, but also through deep people-to-people and cultural ties. It was no coincidence that jazz - one of America’s most significant contributions to world culture - was chosen to mark this important anniversary. Symbolically, the concert was performed by a Bulgarian-American quintet, reflecting the spirit of friendship and partnership between the two nations.

The Embassy extends its sincere gratitude to the performers, who made the evening truly memorable: Ruth Koleva (vocals), Asen Doykin (piano, compositions and arrangements), Mark Small (saxophone), Nick Vayenas (trombone), Massimo Biolcati (bass), and Jimmy Mcbride (drums).

The evening concluded with a wine reception, offering guests an opportunity to meet the performers.