Firstenfeldbruk – Jazz music always draws inspiration from folk music – except when it comes to the holy trinity of harmony, rhythm and melody of the “Blue Notes” and of course when it comes to improvisation, which is, without a doubt, the most individual part of the music. In the past this was called “Roots”- these were the roots of jazz from the Creole people and adopted by Africans in the “melting pot” of New Orleans. That is until there occurred the intellectualizing and a stronger base which produced different, very modern stylistic forms. Today, again, it is more clearly said of folk music that it is the source of jazz; especially in Europe, with its diverse cultures and musical traditions and of course the amazing possibilities for their fusion. And just like that Mr. Vladan Mijatovic has chosen this fusion as the starting point for his musical trio. Last Wednesday, this pianist from Serbia performed in the last concert of the series “First Jazz”, using the folklore of Eastern Europe as a starting point for their temperament improvisation – certainly no American standards from the “Great American Songbooks” nor abstractly formulated avant-garde music. And as a kind of surprise, Vladan Mijatovic, presented a guest, the Russian singer, Anastasia Volokitin. Special recognition is deserved for the independent style in which his jazz trio plays. Vladan Mijatovic is an incredible pianist, creatively musical and educated in the classical domain, having studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts.

Prof. Leonid Chizhik and awarded numerous times, even before the age of 30. He is an expert musician who reluctantly talks, but instantly shows his mastery on the piano. This approach could be a bit lacking in dramaturgy, especially the improvisation, but his hunger and virtuosity as a pianist, finds its sustenance in unbelievable and often variable tastes of Serbian, Bulgarian and Azerbaijani folk music. He plays melodically, percussively, and in a disharmonious style, yet at the same time the music has a personal color. Giorgi Makhoshvili, a bassist originally from Georgia, as a locomotive, pulls the music for you (or rather pushes it ahead) with some elements of swing music, but with lot of based themes providing something vital, strong, and vibrant. In contrast, the drummer Nevyan Lenkov from Bulgaria at his drumset plays a bit withdrawn, evening out the temperament of the other two and providing a very moody rhythm. Anastasia Volokitin is not only a trained vocalist, but she also composes – and particularly for this evening with the trio of Vladan Mijatovic has tried a few of her pieces. Her interpretations are far from conventional jazz singing performances. With her, it all sounds more robust, always exceeding into the realm of treble tones and suddenly moving into the deepest levels but then again, leaves a strong and fascinating glissando. In only one song Anastasia Volokitin creates amazing shadows of her voice and, so, a variety of emotions, which in the western conception of jazz is an absolute novelty.