He won a prize at the National Jazz Educational Congress, a Grammy Award for arrangement, and the Honorary Gold Medal of the Académie internationale des Arts in Paris (1995). He was awarded an honorary Doctor Honoris Causa by the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv (1995) and by the New Bulgarian University. Discography As leader Piano Lesson (Dobre, 1978) Blue Levis (Dobre, 1978) What's New (Atlas, 1980) Blues for the Fisherman (Mole Jazz, 1980) True Blues (Mole Jazz, 1981) Plays the Music of Irving Berlin (Discovery, 1982) Music for Big Band and Symphony Orchestra (Trend, 1983) Destination (Optimism, 1987) Bulgarian Piano Blues (MA, 1990) The Oracle with Dave Holland (Pan Music, 1992) Up & Down with Dave Holland (MA, 1993) Jive Sambas (Vartan Jazz, 1997) Man from Plovdiv (MA, 1999) Quiet Love with Vicky Almazidu (Ethnic Art, 2004) Multiple Personalities (Mighty Quinn, 2006) Quiet March (Perfect, 2015) As guest With Billy Cobham Total Eclipse (Atlantic, 1974) Shabazz (Atlantic, 1975) A Funky Thide of Sings (Atlantic, 1975) With Don Ellis Tears of Joy (Columbia, 1971) Connection (Columbia, 1972) Soaring (MPS, 1973) Haiku (MPS, 1974) With Roy Haynes Thank You Thank You (Galaxy, 1977) Vistalite (Galaxy, 1979) With Gerald Wilson Jessica (Trend, 1983) Calafia (Trend, 1985) With Dusan Bogdanovic Winter Tale (Doberman - Yppan, 2008) With others Al Jarreau, Breakin' Away (Warner Bros., 1981) Arif Mardin, Journey (Atlantic, 1974) Airto Moreira, Virgin Land (Salvation, 1974) L. Subramaniam, Fantasy without Limits (Trend, 1980) References 1937 births 2019 deaths 21st-century pianists Bulgarian composers Bulgarian emigrants to the United States Bulgarian jazz pianists Bulgarian people of Jewish descent Free Flight (band) members Musicians from Plovdiv Jazz pianists