Original music, specially arranged for a symphony orchestra by Craig Bailey, long-time soloist with Ray Charles's orchestra, will be featured. The concert will include some of Ray Charles's unforgettable hits, placing him among the most prominent figures in contemporary American and global culture.

He is called the Genius, distinguished as an innovator – the pioneer of soul music. RAY CHARLES brought together various genres into his distinctive style of music-making. Recognition followed him throughout his career – from the declaration of "Georgia on My Mind" as the official song of the state of Georgia, to his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, his induction into the Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, and Country Music Halls of Fame, and his honorary award from the Kennedy Center. Among his 17 Grammy Awards is a Lifetime Achievement Award. His discography includes numerous chart-topping singles and albums with platinum and gold sales status.

Craig Bailey is one of the few artists whose music firsthand acquaints us with the talent and energy of the great Ray Charles. Moreover, his original music in the project makes him a worthy successor to a culture forever marked by names like Ray Charles, Mongo Santamaria, Art Blakey, and George Coleman.

The project’s soloist, Peter Salchev, shares:
"Ray Charles has been a part of my life since childhood, as my parents constantly listened to his music. (...) This is a historical heritage that needs to be studied and explored. For me, this project intertwines several missions. One is truly to study and understand more about Ray's inspiration, motives, and emotions, and the other is to spread and tell the stories and messages of his music, perhaps making it a bit more interesting for young people who rarely hear about the music of this era."

Alto saxophonist CRAIG BAILEY was born in 1960 in Cincinnati, Ohio. From an early age, he was introduced to fundamental musical genres like gospel, classical music, soul, and jazz, and began to interpret them. At 16, he received a scholarship to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where he played in classical and jazz ensembles, brass and symphony orchestras. He continued his education with legendary saxophonist Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut. In 1984, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in Florida. With his characteristic tone and lyrical style, Craig Bailey is one of the most sought-after musicians in New York. Since 1987, he has been the musical director, arranger, lead saxophonist, and flutist in Ray Charles's orchestra. Meanwhile, he has participated in projects with Rufus Reid, Tom Harrell, Bobby Watson, and The Bronx Horns. He is also a teacher in the New York school system.

Today, Craig Bailey is a true and worthy ambassador of American culture worldwide and is notably recognized as the favorite saxophonist of his long-time mentor and employer – the legendary Ray Charles.

PETER SALCHEV is one of the prominent Bulgarian jazz musicians of our time. His rich creative biography is impressive. He has made numerous recordings for Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio, is a soloist with the BNR Big Band, the Plovdiv Big Band, and has worked with Angel Zaberski Jr., Zhivko Petrov, Hristo Yotsov, Simeon Shterev, Teodosii Spasov, Assen Doykin, Milcho Leviev, Peter Petrov, Kamelia Todorova, Hilda Kazasyan, Oliver Josifovski, Kostas Maginas, Marius Pop, Dorina Markova, Boris Tonkov, Craig Bailey, and Armel Dupas. He has performed at all jazz festivals in Bulgaria and has given concerts in the UK, Germany, Austria, Denmark, the USA, Turkey, Greece, and Romania. Since 2005, he has been an assistant at AMTII "Prof. Assen Diamandiev" – Plovdiv, teaching pop and jazz singing, pedagogical practice, and methodology in the Department of Classical, Pop, and Jazz Performing Arts.

Tickets can be purchased from ticket offices in the city and on-site before the concert.