Teodor Petkov Toto is a distinguished pianist, composer, arranger, and music producer whose artistry spans jazz, classical, and contemporary. Beginning his musical journey at the age of three, Toto exhibited an innate talent for music by playing songs by ear. By five, he was immersed in formal piano studies, later graduating from the National School of Music in Ruse with a specialization in classical piano. Even during his early education, his flair for improvisation became evident, leading to participation in pop and jazz fusion bands during his teenage years.
He advanced his education with a BA in Pop and Jazz Piano from the Sofia Music Academy, studying under the esteemed Prof. Julia Tsenova. In 2008, he began his mentorship with the legendary Bulgarian jazz pianist and composer Prof. Milcho Leviev, later becoming his assistant.
His diverse career encompasses collaborations across numerous genres and ensembles, including a salsa and Latin jazz band, a tango quartet, a flamenco trio, and several other jazz, rock and popular music formations. From 2016 to 2018, he was a composer and arranger for Bobby Yotzov’s Clarinet Sextet. Toto also contributed as a music tutor at Sofia Music Academy (2008–2018) and New Bulgarian University (2010–2017).
Teodor Petkov’s contributions extend to orchestral music, including collaborations with the Ruse Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra and the Razgrad Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as arranging for their string quartet. He has arranged music for the Military Big Band of Stara Zagora and contributed to Zhivko Vasilev Quartet and Sofia soloist project and Gergana Dimitrova of the Eva Quartet and The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices. His collaborations also include Avigeya Voices and Grammy-winning and nominated artists such as Alex Sipiagin, Carol Jarvis, Glenn Ferris, Milcho Leviev and Craig Bailey.
As a music producer, Teodor has led numerous projects, including his own trio album “Bake a Biscuit” (2021), and productions for artists like Lina Nikol, Savina, and Flying Wiseguy. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Production and Engineering from the UK (2021).
Toto’s extensive performance career includes appearances at renowned festivals such as:
• National Slaveykovi Praznici Tryavna 2024
• Haskovo Jazz Festival 2021
• The Jazz Cave Festival 2021
• Tryavna Art Festival 2020-2022
• March Music Days 2021
• Sofia Jazz Days 2021
• Bansko Jazz Festival
• Blagoevgrad Jazz Festival
• Nisville Jazz Festival (2010, 2012)
• Jazz Forum Stara Zagora (2013–2018)
• Eurosonic Festival, Netherlands (2013)
• Veliko Tarnovo Jazz Festival (2014)
• Ruse Jazz Festival (2014)
• Veliko Tarnovo Dixieland Festival (2015)
• Jazz Festival Burgas (2015)
• Pianissimo International Festival, Sofia (2015) with original music
• Mozart Music Days, Pravets (2016)
• Varna Jazz Days (2017, 2018, 2021)
• Summer Music Days, Sofia (2018)
• A to Jazz Festival, Sofia (2018)
• Bucharest Jazz Festival (2018, 2019)
• Capturing Creativity, Gabrovo (2023)
His recording credits include significant projects such as Sebastian Burneci – Unspoken (2018), Liudmil Krumov – Cultural Collision, BNR 90 Years Anniversary Album (2024), and the European Jazz Orchestra (2012).
In addition to his performance and production career, Teodor has contributed to film and media, including composing, sound design, and engineering for the short film “Sunshine” (2020) and serving as producer and performer for the documentary “Pritamnee li shte e na razsumvane” (2013).
Teodor Petkov Toto’s artistic vision blends a deep respect for tradition with innovative creativity, positioning him as a dynamic force in the contemporary music landscape of Bulgaria and the EU.
