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The Belgrade Dixieland Orchestra was founded in 2001 as we entered into a new millennium. Just when everybody thought that this wonderful type of jazz had forever died out in our country, some strong force kindled eight brave people to save from oblivion and keep this wonderful and winsome music from the turn of the last century alive for the public.
From this faint, lonely and shimmering light of hope, The Belgrade Dixieland Orchestra quickly grew into an important cultural institution in Serbia’s capital, becoming the unique representative of this musical form in the country. As the only orchestra of its type in the country, it is directly responsible for the Dixieland's triumphant revival from the foundations built for decades by jazzmen from the Balkans.
And how did it all begin? As some of the first local performers of Dixieland claim, Dixieland came to the parts of the former Yugoslavia and shyly sneaked into the ears of listeners way back in 1953. Looking at the calendar a half of century has passed since that wonderful moment! Under the influence of the legendary film “Bathing Beauty” many Dixieland orchestras popped up like mushrooms around the country. We were rapidly overcome by an unbelievable atmosphere of delight, optimism and a completely new sound, which no one had ever felt before…
Half a century later, Dixieland, the oldest jazz genre, is of monumental importance to our country. Today, as we are the only active Dixieland orchestra in Serbia as well as the surrounding region, we are proud to represent an artistic treasure of this country and deeply appreciative of those who appreciate Dixieland’s artistic and historical value.
Its potential influence on the new generations of the performers and jazz lovers in this country, and especially on those professionally responsible for preserving cultural values, remains to be seen in the following half of the century and beyond.
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IVAN_SVAGER (1943.) Clarinet, Saxophone; Graduate of Music Academy in Novi Sad, Serbia (Clarinet department). He is a longtime member of the prestigious Jazz Orchestra of RTV Novi Sad (Radio Television Novi Sad) and Jazz Orchestra of RTS (Radio Television Serbia). He is certainly the most eminent saxophone player in Serbia with extensive recordings, numerous jazz compositions, and wide-ranging international experience. |
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VLADIMIR_RACKOVIC (1957.) Banjo, Guitar; A long-standing member of “Theatre T” in Belgrade, composer, music producer, arranger, owner of "Odiseja" recording studio, external music editor of Belgrade Radio’s “The First Program” and the leader of this Orchestra. He is a guitar player with rich studio, recording, and international performing experience.
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BODIN_DRAŠKOCI (1972.) Trombone; After studying at DePauw University, Indianapolis, IN, USA and the Faculty of Musical Arts in Belgrade, he received a bachelor's and master's in trombone from the world-renowned Mannes College of Music, New York, NY, USA. Currently a soloist in the Belgrade Philharmonic, collaborator in a number of international classical and jazz orchestras, and a trombone professor.
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SAVA_MATIC (1976.) Trumpet, Fligel horn; Graduated from Jazz Department of Musical School “Stankovic” (Trumpet department) in Belgrade and the first trumpet in that school’s Big Band. He is a member of many international jazz festivals as well as a dentist. |
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ALEKSANDAR_MILETIĆ (1961.) Piano; Finished both graduate and postgraduate at Music Academy of Belgrade (piano department). He is a collaborator in musical subjects at Belgrade Academy of Drama and University of Art (subject: styles of jazz and popular music). Also a long-standing member of “Theatre T” in Belgrade and an experienced theatre music composer.
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IVAN_MAKSIMOVIC (1969.) Upright bass; Graduated from Music Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. Finished postgraduate studies in Boston, Ma. USA, along with participation in many U.S. symphonic and chamber orchestras and jazz bands. A former member of the RTS Symphonic Orchestra in Belgrade, he is currently engaged in “Theater T” Orchestra, Belgrade and active in the Belgrade jazz club scene. |
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MILOS_MILOSAVLJEVIC (1976) Drums; He graduated from the Jazz Department of Musical School “Stankovic” (drums department) and then went to the conservatory for jazz & modern music "L'aula de musica moderna y jazz" in Barcelona, Spain. He is a drummer with wide-ranging international performance and recording experience.
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BOBANA_DJORDJEVIC (1978) Lead vocal; A graduate in world literature from Belgrade University. An active jazz singer since 2001 she has experience performing with various Serbian and international musicians. One of the best interpreters of jazz standards and bossa nova in the region.
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LJUBOMIR_MATIJACA (1936.) Trombone; The greatest man of Yugoslavian Dixieland and the most experienced member of this orchestra as well as its inspiration, style and musical arranger. After he graduated from Music Academy in Belgrade (Trombone department), he became member of RTS (Radio Television of Serbia) Jazz Orchestra, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra and member of “Theater T” Orchestra in Belgrade where he stayed through many years. He is today the permanent honored associate of Belgrade Opera Orchestra. A participant in all national and many foreign jazz festivals.
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JELENA_BRACIKA (1978.) Lead vocal; She graduated in acting at Academy of Art "Braca Karic" in Belgrade. She is an assistant at “Theatre T” in Belgrade and a top performer of Dixieland and Swing. Currently studying at one of the world's greatest music academies, "Berklee College of Music" in Boston, MA, USA.
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DIMITRIJE_D._VASILJEVIC (1985.) Piano; He graduated from Academy of Music, Belgrade (music theory department). Currently studying at one of the world's greatest music academies, "Berklee College of Music" in Boston, MA, USA.
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BRANKO_POPOVIC (1981.) Drums; Ex student of Jazz Department of Musical School “Stankovic” in Belgrade and undoubtedly the most talented jazz drummer of younger generation. He participates in all national jazz festivals and he is irreplaceable member of many top small jazz bands in Belgrade. Now studying at one of the world's greatest music academies, "Berklee College of Music" in Boston, MA, USA. |
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ALESKANDAR_PETROVIC (1984.) Upright bass; A student in his final year at the Jazz Department of Musical School “Stankovic” in Belgrade and standard musician of its Big Band. As very young and talented instrumentalist he already has appeared in a large number of international performances at famous jazz festivals. |
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References:
Kolarčeva zadužbina
Centar Sava
Beogradska Filharmonija
Bohem Ragtime & Jazz Festival, Keckemet, Hungary
Norrtelje Jazzdagar, Stockholm, Sweden
Jazz festival Bansko, Bulgaria
Miskolc Dixieland festival, Miskolc, Hungary
Jazz Festival Valjevo
Nišville-Jazz festival Niš
Jazz festival Kragujevac
Jazz & blues festival, Sremska Mitrovica
Jazz & blues festival, Bačka Palanka
Voxstock blues festival
Gitarijada Zaječar
Srpsko Narodno Pozorište, Novi Sad
Pozorište na Terazijama
Narodno pozorište Sombor
Gradsko pozorište Bečej
SPENS, Novi Sad
Guarnerius - centar lepih umetnosti
Bard klub beograd
Riff Jazz Club Beograd
"Ptica" jazz club
Beogradsko Leto
Dom omladine Beograda
Zmajeve dečije igre, Novi Sad
"Kalemegdanski sutoni" Beograd
"Mermer i zvuci" Aranđelovac
Međunarodni filmski festival - Palić
UK "Vuk Karadžić"
Kulturni centar Kruševac
Centar za kulturu Pancevo
Centar za kulturu Bačka Topola
Dom kulture Valjevo
Dom kulture "Mokranjac" Negotin
Dom kulture Trstenik
Dom Vojske Pirot
Dani vina Vršac
Turistička oraganizacija Beograda
Skupština grada Beograda
Beogradski Maraton
Opština Zemun
U.S. embassy
Swiss Embassy
British Council
MMF
JAT Airways
Hewlett Pacard
Jack Daniel's
Ford - Grand Motors
Siemens
Valvoline
Raiffeisen banka
Tigar Pirot
Tikveš Kavadarci
Partner Inženjering
General Economic
MTA export-import
JISA
Mikro
Časopis "Taboo"
Yu-Ros Gas
Delta City
Salford
Mercator Beograd
Pharma Nova
MFC
Uniqa osiguranje
Ivančić i sinovi
Rotary club "Singidunum"
Lions club Zemun
Ardoris
Biznis partner
Markons
Muzej starih automobila Brace Petkovića
Colonial Sun
Koling club
Golf klub "Beograd"
Sportski centar Kovilovo
Beogradski sajam
Novosadski sajam
Hyatt Regency Beograd
Hotel Beograd Interkontinental
Hotel "Grand", Kopaonik
Hotel "Balkan"
Hotel "Moskva"
Hotel "President"
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