Donchev was already active as a musician during his school years. From his student days at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, he played in various formations with drummer Hristo Yotzov. He made his debut at the first jazz festival in Sofia in 1978. He joined Simeon Shterev’s Focus Quartet with Yotzov. In this formation he took part in the Debrecen Jazz Days, the Jazz Jamboree in Poland and jazz festivals in Nuremberg, Hanover, Zagreb, Istanbul, Sibiu and Tbilisi.

In 1985, Donchev founded the duo Acoustic Version with Jotzov. They won first prize as a duo at the international jazz competition for young bands in Hoeilaart (Belgium); both received prizes as soloists. The following year, they were awarded the title of Young European Jazz Artists at the 5th Leverkusen Jazz Days. This was followed by further successes at international festivals, tours and radio recordings in Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia and Bulgaria.

In 1987, Donchev realized the Folk Jazz Band Project with accordionist Petar Ralchev; a project with folk elements was created with Ivo Papasov (for a festival in Thessaloniki).

In addition, Donchev also participated in the Mirrorworld project by Hungarian violinist Zoltán Lantos and composed film and theater music for the Thalia Theater in Hamburg.

Quelle: Wikipedia