Concert by Gabriel Palatchi

Overview

The Cultural Center of Sofia University is pleased to invite you to a concert by jazz pianist Gabriel Palatchi!

When: November 3, 2026, 19:00

Where: The Aula of Sofia University (Rectory, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.)

Free entry with prior registration (seats are limited)

Gabriel Palatchi is a pianist, composer, and music teacher. He is establishing himself as one of the most original interpreters in the contemporary music avant-garde, creating a unique stylistic synthesis between Latin American jazz, traditional tango, and global fusion trends. He was born in 1982 in Buenos Aires. His grandparents are from Izmir. His family includes Bessarabian Jews as well as Spanish relatives. This cultural mix further defines his taste for different styles and for blending diverse traditions in music.

Palatchi began playing the piano before he turned ten. He studied classical music at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Manuel de Falla in Buenos Aires. In 2008, he graduated with a music diploma from the Escuela de Música Contemporánea (EMC), affiliated with Berklee College of Music. His training included blues, tango, jazz, and Latin jazz. He then went to Cuba, where he studied with the legendary Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. Palatchi himself describes this meeting as "spiritual." Regarding the influences he has experienced in music, he explains that he sees culture as a fruit of different styles that have their sources in Europe, but also in the Middle East, especially in Israel, as well as in Japan, Canada, Mexico (where he lived for 15 years), and Cuba. He notes that in his own music, he always starts from what is closest to him, but he also strives to experiment without abandoning traditions. He combines tango with funk, soul, flamenco, klezmer, Cuban music, and music from the Balkans. Between his travels, he returns to Buenos Aires, where he spends some time as part of the group "Brizuela Mendez," led by Gody Corominas, after which he begins his solo career. In 2010, he released his first album – Diario de Viaje ("Travel Diary"). The album was chosen by Jazz FM Toronto as one of the best Latin jazz CDs of the year.

Critics highlight and appreciate the way Palatchi unites musical elements from different cultures. The album features motifs and influences from Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Cuba. The release is described as an impressive debut, and Palatchi is called one of the "new young lions" of Latin jazz. In 2013, his second album – Caja Musical ("Musical Box") was released. Critics note that the Latin American musical color is present in his works in an authentic way. In 2015, he released his third album – Trivolution (winner of the Global Music Award), recorded with the Gabriel Palatchi Trio. Following the album's release, the trio began an international tour in Argentina, Mexico, Canada, and Europe, with the first concerts in Toronto in June 2015. All About Jazz describes his music as increasingly revolutionary and characterizes him as a talented musician with his unique place in the ever-changing world of jazz. In 2017, Palatchi recorded the live concert album Made in Canada – Live.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Gabriel Palatchi possesses "surgical precision in balancing academia and experiment." In 2025, he participated in the jazz festival in Bansko.