NIKOLOV–IVANOVIĆ UNDECTET

The relationship between tradition and modern, “good old” times and contemporary approach to music – is the turning point of the whole present and future jazz scene. Is there a golden mean, a ground on which these two seemingly opposed tendencies meet and coexist? The eleven-piece band of pianist and composer Vladimir Nikolov and drummer Srđan Ivanović seems to be trying to provide an answer to this question. Two Balkan musicians with respectable foreign careers are the right choice for this kind of experiment. While Nikolov is prominent in his work with world orchestras and ensembles (Metropole Orchestra, BBC Radio Orchestra, among others), Ivanović is somewhat more active in smaller formations (Modular, Blazin’ Quartet, Xenos). The audience knows him as the leader of the band Blazin’ Quartet, presenting the original vision of joining modern European jazz with Balkan influences. The orchestra itself is composed of the best musicians of the younger and middle generation from the Balkan region, mixed with even younger forces from France into a symbiotic modern jazz ensemble: Luka Ignjatović – alto sax, flute Kristijan Mlačak – tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet Léo Guedy – baritone sax, bass clarinet Olivier Laisney – trumpet Milan Roksandić – french horn Sébastien Llado – trombone Miloš Budimirov – tuba Noé Clerc – accordion, accordina Vladimir Nikolov − piano Mihail Ivanov – double bass, bass guitar Srđan Ivanović – drums Their first album “Artistry in Broken Rhythm” released in 2018 under Metropolis Music is homage to the legendary album by Stan Kenton, pointing out Ivanović’s contemporary rhythmic structure as well as the like arrangements and compositions by Nikolov. Their second album “Frame and Curiosity” was released in December 2019 under Coolabel. It features Magic Malik as soloist on flute. Their third album “Dystopia” will be coming out coming out in Serbia and ex-Yugoslavia in December 2023 (Metropolis Music) and in the rest of the world in 2024 (Rue des Balkans). First single from this album “Scream” was published on Youtube on 29.10.2023. as “live in the studio” video recording.