Vassil Bebelekov


Vassil Bebelekov was a well-known Bulgarian bagpipe player, who after a professional career in Bulgaria emigrated to the United States and became one of the most influential performers and teachers of his specialty for Americans.
Born in the town of Devin in the Rhodope mountains, he was inspired by his grandfather who played kaba gajda. During the communist era, the Bulgarian government promoted formal training of folk musicians to transcend their regions of origin, and to achieve the highest levels of virtuosity on a par with Western classical performers. Vassil is part of the "2nd generation" of these professionalized folk musicians. Atypically, Vassil specialized in both the kaba gajda and the smaller džura gajda played elsewhere in Bulgaria and particularly in folk-instrument ensembles.
Vassil played with and the Philipopolis Ensemble and has recorded for Radio Sofia. He taught for many years at the . Later he and his wife, and their children emigrated to the United States, where they became naturalized citizens. They lived in San Jose, California. Vassil died while teaching at Lark Camp in Mendocino, CA on July 31, 2016. He left behind many teachings and students to carry on his traditions and innovations.

Discography

TitlePerformersYearReferences
& reviews		Listen
Horoto e Vechno - The Dance is EternalVasil Bebelekov, Donka Koleva,
Nikolay Kolev, Dragi Dragnev		2014
From Generation to GenerationVasil Bebelekov, Petur Iliev2009
Grupa MaistoriVasil Bebelekov, Georgi Petrov, Nedyalko Nedyalkov,
Angel Dimitrov, Ivaylo Koutehev		2003
Made in Bulgaria - 95% Dance MusicMaria Bebelekova, Vassil Bebelekov, Jordan Iliev,
Dimitar Bojadziev, Enel Vitanov		1999
New Renaissance In Bulgarian Folk MusicVarious1996
Shiroka Lukka SingsVarious1983
Vasil Bebelekov PresentsVassil Bebelekov, Petur Iliev