VLADIMIR REDZIC

FIRST TIME AROUND

Independent Label

Vladimir Redzic, guitar/composer; Steve Ash, piano; Jonathan Meyer & Neal Miner, bass; Steve Little, drums; Ale Nuñez, voice.

Vladimir Redzic was born in Serbia and moved to Canada in 2003 from Belgrade. He relocated to New York in 2024. He and his tasty trio open with the American Song Book favorite, “I’ve Got a Crush on You.” They include the George Gershwin verse at the top, played beautifully by Steve Ash at the piano, who introduces the tune.

“With a Song in My heart” enters with an introduction by Ash on piano. They swing this one, an up-tempo pace pulsing with Steve Little’s mastery of the drums. Vladimir steps out front to issue the melody on his guitar, before improvising on the theme later in the song. This recording showcases Redzic’s lyrical phrasing and bright tone, prominent on every standard jazz tune they play. Midway through the song they trade fours with Little’s powerhouse drums. This is followed by a shuffle arrangement of “Blue Gardenia.”

Vladimir Redzic has added one original song to the mix.  It’s titled, “Bishop’s Gambit.” The guitarist brings the blues to his recording. Every great jazz musician can play the blues, one of the roots of jazz. Redzic is no exception. This tune makes my toes tap and my fingers snap!

On “These Foolish Things” Redzic invites vocalist, Ale Nuñez to the microphone to sing the familiar lyrics of a song that’s been around since 1936 when a BBC broadcast popularized the tune, featuring jazz vocalist Turner Layton.

Vladimir Redzic tributes Charlie Parker on the trio’s rendition of “Chasin’ the Bird.”

They bring the tempo down with the poignant song, “How Long Has This Been Going On?” and after playing the Rogers & Hart hit record, “Thou Swell,” Redzic tackles “I’m In the Mood for Love.”

He closes out this wonderful representation of the Great American Songbook with “I Didn’t Know What Time it Was.”  Their bluesy rendition is beautifully played.

Throughout this production, two excellent sets of musicians set the bar high and demonstrate a shared commitment to jazz improvisation, interplay, musicianship, and storytelling.  Vladimir Redzic is consistently featured as a rising guitar star on the jazz horizon.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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