Leia Ivanova - Biography

Лилия Иванова (real name), Леа Иванова (scene name) was bulgarian singer born August 13, 1923, Dupnitsa (Дупница) - passed away May 28, 1986.

She grew up in Constantinople (Istanbul), where she sang in the Children's Choir of the Bulgarian Exarchate. In the early

In 40's went to Sofia with intention to studying art. The passion for music was stronger and became lead vocals of "Slavic Talk" (''Славянска беседа'') jazz orchestra, led by saxophonist Leon L'Alfàs (Леон Алфаса).
In the early 50's performed with various bulgarian jazz and swing bands.
In late 50s was very difficult for jazz music in Bulgaria, as the communist regime prohibited western influenced music.
In 1957 Leia began working with her husband, Eddie Kazasyan (Еди Казасян), who founded and led his own orchestra Eddy Kazassian Combo. Their partnership lasted for almost 30 years, until her death.

Her music was forbidden in her own country and thus she remained unknown among the younger audience and present days. Victim of censorship and unorthodox style, sometimes in the late 70s, Leia was imprisoned in a labor camp for promoting "retrogressive sound" and "obscene behavior". Soon after when was released, had a stroke which put her in wheel chair. The stroke affected sense of rhythm and her ability to sing and perform. She was able to recover and perform until her final days.

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