Seraphim Zlatev: Who Is This London-Based Handpan Player?

Have you heard of an exceptional handpan artist named Seraphim Zlatev? Maybe you’ve listened to his well-known duo “The Handpan Gentlemen,” performed with James Hunter Crossley? If you’d like to learn more about this percussionist and what he has achieved throughout his artistic career, you’re in the right place.

Like many others, I discovered Seraphim Zlatev in 2024 when his video collaboration with James Hunter Crossley was released. I was genuinely impressed by the quality of his performance, and I’ve enjoyed following his latest news and projects ever since. So it’s easy for me to walk you through his artistic career.

In this article, you’ll learn about:

• Seraphim Zlatev’s journey in the music world
• His discography

That way, you’ll get a clear picture of the key milestones in this musician’s professional path. You’ll also gain a better sense of his philosophy and how he approaches writing and shaping his melodies.

Now, let’s dive into the details of Seraphim Zlatev’s artistic life.

Who is Seraphim Zlatev, the renowned handpan artist?

Born and raised in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, Seraphim Zlatev began his musical journey as a religious singer in Orthodox choirs while still living back home. He later continued singing with various metal bands, notably “Cortège” starting in 2015 and “Don’t Feed The Pigeons,” sometimes abbreviated as DFTP, starting in 2021. Today, he’s still the lead singer of the latter band, which continues to perform in Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. You can hear him on the track “Nothing Hill”:

After graduating from the French High School in Sofia, Seraphim moved to London with three musician friends from his class to pursue his musical studies. He graduated from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of East London. That background led him to work as a projectionist in the film industry. He’s credited on several productions in post-production media management and related roles, including Blackbird (2019), The Outpost (2019), Jolt (2021), Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (2021), The Protégé (2021), Memory (2022), The Offering (2022), and Cottontail (2023). In reality, he only practices music and singing in his spare time.

Although it’s his primary instrument, there are no reliable sources indicating how this musician discovered the handpan. Still, starting in 2022, you can find handpan videos on Seraphim Zlatev’s official YouTube channel. In sharp contrast to metal and rock, these performances are far calmer and more contemplative, often filmed in public spaces as he plays as a street musician—much like many handpan players before him, such as Sam Maher and Daniel Waples. You’ll see him composing meditative melodies in front of London’s famous Tower Bridge, in Oxleas Woods (also in London), or in a field near Cambridge. Check out an example below:

His videos, which naturally benefit from his filmmaking experience when it comes to editing and mixing, also focus heavily on music therapy and well-being. Seraphim Zlatev emphasizes the power of acoustic vibrations and prefers playing a handpan tuned to 432 hertz to cultivate a deeper sense of serenity. He also regularly features collaborations in his videos. The most famous and popular is, of course, his duet with James Hunter Crossley, another handpan player he met while busking, with whom he formed the “Handpan Gentlemen”—a duo that has surpassed one million views on YouTube. The softness of their handpan melody in nature has truly resonated with audiences, and you can watch it in the video below:

This is also why Seraphim Zlatev appears as a guest at the London Handpan Academy, a handpan learning center in London founded by James Hunter Crossley. This duo also performs at weddings, birthdays, private events, and other live formats. Seraphim Zlatev also takes part in several music events, such as Rushfest in 2023, The Udaya Live Retreat, and Ecstatic Dance UK. When it comes to teaching, you can also hire him for private lessons or join an intensive handpan workshop alongside other students.

What is the discography of this hang drum musician?

While Seraphim Zlatev isn’t the most widely known handpan player, he does have an existing discography. He has released several songs and tracks, including “Leak” (2023), “The Scorched Forest Echoes” (2024), “Returning Home” (2024), and “Reconnect Me (feat. Dakimi) (Live Version).” You can also find him collaborating with Our Echo & Orfeas on the project “Dharmata,” featuring Igor Olivier Ezendam and NXY. On YouTube, he also appears on the collaboration “Midnight Chase” with James Hunter Crossley and Charlotte Riby.

Develop your artistic talent with a genuine handpan

Seraphim Zlatev isn’t just a musician specializing in the handpan. He’s an artist with a multifaceted path, moving from Bulgarian Orthodox choirs to metal, and then into a handpan practice shaped by street performance, video, collaborations, and teaching formats. Through this article, you now know much more about his musical career and artistic projects.

To extend the relaxation and meditation Seraphim Zlatev conveys, it can be a great idea to get your own handpan. With that in mind, I recommend the reliability and professionalism of Instruments du Monde, which offers dozens of quality handpans to suit every percussionist. For example, this La Sirena scale handpan is ideal for players looking for serene, soothing tones.

Fall in love with this handpan right away by clicking on the image below:

Treat yourself to a handpan from the La Sirena range for a soft and captivating tone

4.6/5 — 500+ Reviews

View the La Sirena handpan

Did you know that one handpan player in particular has gained a lot of attention on social media? His name is Ethereal in E, an American with over 10 million followers, making him the most popular handpan player of all time. I invite you to check out his performance in one of my other articles.