Peter Slavov – “Back then, FSB was the only possible escape to the future.”

Born on August 13 1941, passed away suddenly in 2008
with FSB from 1979 to 2000

He had been playing on stage since the age of fifteen. He went through the school of the Jazz of the Optimists and later played with various jazz ensembles. Peter Slavov was considered the youngest bright addition to this mysterious, “occult” and often banished music society in Bulgaria from the 50`s and early 60`s of the XX century.

In 1965 he became the drummer of Jazz Focus 65. Together with Milcho Leviev, Simeon Shterev and Lubomir Mitsov they wrote the first page of Bulgarian jazz history. In 1967 Bulgarian jazz came into sight at the Festival in Montreux, where the incredible Bulgarian musicians received the Critics Award. Concert tours throughout Europe followed, as well as appearances at national and international jazz festivals. Peter Slavov has shared stage with Gary Burton, Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Pat Metheny, Dizzy Gillespie, with some of whom he maintained contact and friendship in later years. Until 1979 he was exceedingly active in all forums and jazz events in the country.

Regarding his new occupation as a rock musician he was quoted saying:

”They were the most appropriate people in Bulgaria, with whom such an ingenious organization like FSB was worth to be created.

The album The Globe associated Peter Slavov with FSB and gave leeway to his tireless, dynamic and enterprising personality. The music of FSB easily became the meaning of his life – rock as well as jazz is a way of life, a life philosophy.

“This music was cosmopolitan and gained audience attention by the confidence we had, even without us being fully aware of that.”

А brilliant organizer, very social and witty, and at the same time ambitious and striving for success, he had the energy to draw FSB out of the studio and contributed significantly to the affirmation of the band as one the most powerful and influential live performers in Bulgaria. He also managed the band’s international appearances and concerts with great skill. Age difference was never a detrimental factor in their friendship.

“The magic is in youth, nostalgia comes with maturity.”

The release of FSB – Anthology and the renewed concert activity of the band was the occasion for Peter Slavov to say:

“Music is all around and inside of me entirely!”

And music is all around and inside, somewhere there, where he is together with Satchmo and Ella…