Slovenia
Lenart Krečič, reeds; Ana Čop, vocals; Tomaž Gajšt, trumpet; Jani Moder, guitar; Marko Črnčec, piano; Miha Koren, bass; Žan Tetičkovič, drums, composition; Janus Atelier String Quartet: Matija Krečič – 1st violin, Nejc Avbelj – 2nd violin, Barbara Grahor – viola, Zoran Bičanin – violoncello
Drummer and composer Žan Tetičkovič (he goes by the name of Jean John in New York City, where he pursued his musical studies) invariably tackles his well-considered projects ambitiously, lending them weight and substance. A follow-up to his first release, Port of Life, The Port of Life II. – Ensō picks up the threads to continue the narrative of the pre-existing work: endeavouring to depict, at the cross-roads of classical music and jazz, the difficult and precarious experience of an immigrant, this time his personal story of acculturation. Both albums were released under the ZKP RTV Slovenija label, and the first work earned Tetičkovič the ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize for emerging jazz composers. The multi-movement musical suite alternates between melancholy and a bourgeoning joy of living.
*Park and www.ljubljanajazz.si, Jazz Festival Ljubljana FB, Cankarjev dom YouTube channel