The figure of Joe Zawinul casts a long shadow in the world of jazz, with plenty of artists finding inspiration in the broad spectrum of his work. Vasil Hadžimanov Band, one of Serbia's leading jazz acts, is led by an artist whose work and imagination is fueled by Zawinul's music, and has come a long way in the process of finding his place in the jazz field. Coming from a musical family with a rich background surely has helped in his musical upbringing, but it's his enduring and uncompromising commitment to music that has secured him a devoted fan base and praise. The band's first two albums were primarily fusion, but were hindered by poor production, portraying the band's skills but not showing anything beyond that limited genre. The band's third album—Sega mu e Majkata (PGP, 2008)—was a new chapter, both in terms of production and composition, but Života Mi (I Swear On My Life) takes a quantum leap forward in both quality and maturity. Nenad Georgievski/allaboutjazz.com
Interview with Vasil Hadzimanov @ Blic Online How does Vasil Hadzimanov’s band stand out from the crowd?
- I think the very framework and idea are known. What makes us unique is the way we treat fusion jazz with the Balkan sound. Also I think our live shows are largely different from the rest who are into a similar genre. There is the light-heartedness about us, a communication with the audience and a touch of humour, which help us reach those would never otherwise listen to this kind of music.
