Wes Georgiev is a Bulgarian-American pianist and composer based in Basel, Switzerland, where he is currently a member of the Focusyear 24 Band. Originally from Oregon, Wes grew up in a multicultural and musical household, and began playing music at a young age by learning the rhythms and tones of Bulgarian folk music by ear with the guidance of his dad, a professional accordionist from Sofia, Bulgaria. Wes’ mom, who has held symphony positions as a cellist and choral positions as a soprano, introduced him to classical music at the age of 4 when he began 9 years of piano study. Wes fell in love with jazz music in middle school, and played tenor saxophone through high school and into college, where he transitioned to focusing solely on piano. He studied with George Colligan and Alan Jones during his late teens and into his early 20’s. 

Wes has performed and/or recorded alongside George Colligan, Alan Jones, Chuck Israels, Cameron Brown, Rob Scheps, Peter Slavov, Lucas Pino, Chris Higgins, John Stowell, Joe Manis, Domo Branch, Sasha Berliner, Dayna Stephens, Nicole McCabe, and Logan Kane, among others. 

As a composer and musical person, Wes is readily inspired by natural themes and the human condition, and seeks to envision a mentally and physically sustainable reality and future for those around him. Wes frequently composes in a variety of styles for varying instrumentations and ensemble sizes. In 2021, Wes was commissioned by the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble to write an original composition for large ensemble which featured his mentor, George Colligan. 

Outside of performing, Wes maintains a busy teaching schedule. He teaches jazz band at Milwaukie High School, on faculty at the Alan Jones Academy of Music, and is the assistant director and a co-founder of the Oregon Jazz Workshop, a summer small group jazz improvisation intensive in Eugene, Oregon. Wes also runs a private in-person and online teaching studio, and is always welcoming new students of any level.