  |
|
|
 |
|
CD |
| 4.610 Ft
|
|
| 1. | This Is The Day
|
| 2. | Far Away
|
| 3. | It's Too Late
|
| 4. | Angela
|
| 5. | I Just Wanna Stop
|
| 6. | Bellavia
|
| 7. | A Hard Day's Night
|
| 8. | Reach For The Sky
|
| 9. | Swinging Shepard Blues
|
| 10. | Amazing Grace
|
Jazz / Jazz-Funk, Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Alexander Zonjic
Chris Kent Bass
Danny Cox Drums
Denny Jiosa Engineer
Earl Klugh Guitar (Acoustic)
Eric Morgeson Engineer, Mixing
Harlan Rogers Keyboards
Jeff Lorber Producer, Arranger, Programming, Keyboards
Jonathan Wyner Mastering
Kirk Whalum Sax (Tenor), Arranger, Programming, Producer, Keyboards
Larry Kimpel Bass
Leonard "Doc" Gibbs Percussion
Leroy Hyter Keyboards
Mark Baldwin Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic)
Ray Fuller Guitar
Ron Otis Drums
Steve Capp Mixing
Toby Seay Engineer
Tyrone Dickerson Keyboards
Wendy Moten Vocals
In a career that spans three decades, flutist Alexander Zonjic has dabbled and excelled in everything from jazz to classical to rock to instrumental pop. Simply put, he's all about pushing his limits and trying new things. What better title, then, for his new release on Heads Up, than Reach for the Sky.
Aided by some of the most prominent figures in contemporary smooth jazz, Zonjic offers a mix of familiar pop songs and original material that represent not just his musical vision, but his perspective on life in general. "I wanted to cover some tunes that had some significance in my life and my musical philosophy," says Zonjic. "I wanted to include a lot of strong melodies that I personally had a real connection with."
But if that approach results in a mixed bag, Zonjic doesn't mind. "My tastes have always been very eclectic," he says. "I was originally a rock and roll guitar player who bought a flute off a guy on the street. Then I was introduced to classical music, and I toured with pianist Bob James all through the '80s. So I've kind of come into this whole music world very much with the focus on being a fine player, and not with being just a 'jazz musician' or just a 'pop musician.'"
Reach for the Sky includes something for everyone. Even the most casual listener will immediately recognize Zonjic's lightly grooving rendition of Carole King's classic ballad, "It's Too Late," as well as his breezy take on Bob James' familiar "Angela" (Theme from Taxi)," a melody that has transcended it's prime-time TV origins in the '70s. Zonjic reaches back even further to the height of the British Invasion of the '60s with a unique reading of the early Beatles hit, "Hard Day's Night."
"I could have done one of the quieter, prettier Beatles songs, and it would have made a great flute tune," says Zonjic. "And I may still do that someday. Let's face it, those are some of the greatest songs ever written. But there was something about 'Hard Day's Night' the song, the movie, the period that really struck a chord with me."
Amid the more recognizable covers are Zonjic's engaging interpretations of songs penned by Kirk Whalum ("This Is the Day"), Chuck Mangione ("Bellavia") and the late Moe Koffman ("Swinging Shepherd Blues"). He even touches base with the spiritual side in the light-hearted but moving closer, "Amazing Grace."
Lending a hand throughout the album's ten tracks are some of the most prominent names in contemporary instrumental music, including sax man Kirk Whalum, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, guitarist Earl Klugh and others. "Making a record and being in the studio with these guys, watching them each in their own way bring their magic to the table, really was a lot of fun," says Zonjic. "To have gotten to a point in your career where you can call on them and they can make such significant contributions to your product is a total and complete blessing."
Originally an aspiring rock guitarist in his hometown of Windsor, Ontario, Zonjic changed direction at age 21 when a stranger on the street offered him a flute (most likely stolen) for 50 bucks. Zonjic bought it for nine, and immediately committed himself to mastering it. After several years of classical training financed by numerous rock guitar and jazz flute gigs Zonjic landed a decade-long international touring gig with Bob James that led to a solo recording career in the early '90s.
Since those early days, Zonjic has joined an elite group of flutists who have dedicated their careers to pushing the instrument beyond its traditional context in classical music and into the realm of jazz. The mission is not without its occasional challenges, "but there are those few great exceptions, like Herbie Mann or Hubert Laws," he notes. "As an instrumentalist, I strive to be the next exception. When you think about it, the flute is a sensual instrument. It's one of the closest instruments to the human voice."
Flutist Alexander Zonjic offers a strong mix of familiar pop songs and original material served in a great contemporary jazz setting on Reach for the Sky. Zonjic, who toured with Bob James for nearly ten years, extends his flute playing beyond the classical realm and brings its woodwind magic to a point where listeners can accept its resonant qualities in a smooth jazz context. The lyrically pensive yet soaring title track, his lightly grooving cover of Carole King's classic ballad "It's Too Late," Zonjic's breezy take on Bob James' "Angela (Theme From Taxi)," and the unique reading of The Beatles' "Hard Day's Night" form the most memorable songs on the CD. Kirk Whalum, Chuck Mangione, Jeff Lorber, and Kevyn Lettau all contributed significant compositions, but the approach and direction on Reach for the Sky reflects Alexander Zonjic's profound musical philosophy and songs listeners can connect to. This CD picks up where his 1993 recording, titled Passion, left off. While the latter spotlighted several musical styles and periods, Reach for the Sky pushes new limits and places a new instrument -- the flute -- at the forefront of the smooth style of jazz. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide
Alexander Zonjic
Active Decades: '80s, '90s and '00s
Genre: Jazz
Jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic is known for his smooth playing style, in addition to composing and performing his own original songs on solo albums since the mid-'80s. As a youngster growing up in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Zonjic was first enraptured by guitar, as he played professionally in a R&B band as a teenager. At the age of 21, Zonjic purchased a flute on a whim, and within a year had become quite proficient at the new instrument, leading soon after to a successful audition for the University of Windsor (where he studied with the second flutist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra). Although Zonjic continued to play guitar at nightclubs to make ends meet, flute soon became his main interest, influenced by the likes of Hubert Laws and Herbie Mann. After college graduation, Zonjic often played at jazz clubs in the Detroit area and one evening, renowned jazz keyboardist Bob James caught Zonjic's act, which led to an immediate invitation into his own band, which the young flutist accepted.
Recording sessions with such jazz greats as Earl Klugh, Kirk Whalum, Harvey Mason, and Angela Bofill soon followed, as well as performances throughout the world, including Japan, England, Philippines, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, as well as appearances at some of the U.S.' most esteemed venues: Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Apollo Theater. Since the late '70s, Zonjic has been issuing solo albums, including such titles as 1978's self-titled debut, 1982's Elegant Evening, 1987's Romance with You, 1988's When Is It Real?, 1990's Neon (the latter a collaboration with Bob James, Earl Klugh, vocalist Angela Bofill, and producer/saxophonist Kirk Whalum), and 1993's Passion. Zonjic has also been part of different projects with his early flute mentor, Ervin Monroe: 1981's The Classical Album, 1995's Piper's Holiday, and 1997's Christmas and Night. In 2001, Zonjic released Reach for the Sky. He kept busy throughout the next decade releasing Seldom Blues in 2004 and Doin' the D in 2009. In addition to his recording and performing career, Zonjic has his own morning radio show on WVMV-FM, Smooth Jazz V98.7 in Detroit, which he hosts during the week from 5:30 to 9:00 in the morning.
---Greg Prato, All Music Guide |
|
CD bolt, zenei DVD, SACD, BLU-RAY lemez vásárlás és rendelés - Klasszikus zenei CD-k és DVD-különlegességek |  | | Webdesign - Forfour Design |
|
|
