PROGRAM

Ocean Express

Sacré-Cœur

Aurora

Chiaroscuro

Twixter

Ridgewood Sun

What are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life

Homo Ludens

Wardenclyffe

All compositions were written by Dimitrije Vasiljević, except for What are You Doing for the
Rest of Your Life, which was written by Michel Legrand
 BIOGRAPHY
DIMITRIJE VASILJEVIĆ is a New Orleans based, award-winning jazz pianist and composer who
has been hailed as “a strong jazz player with an impressive vocabulary and a powerful modern
improviser who shows promise that he will be a new voice in modern jazz” (Tony Germain
– Berklee College of Music). His music, “iridescent and captivating, a cascade of weaving twists
and turns” (All About Jazz), represents an innovative combination of the gentle flavor of
European jazz with intricate musical landscapes full of exotic rhythms and sophisticated
harmony.

Vasiljević got his Bachelor’s Degrees both from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA
and University of Arts in Belgrade, Serbia, his Master’s degree from NYU Steinhardt in New York
City and his doctorate (DMA) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before he
accepted the position of a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Xavier University
of Louisiana in New Orleans in 2017, he taught jazz piano at both NYU Steinhardt in NYC
and UIUC in Urbana, IL.

Vasiljević performed concerts at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall (NYC), United Nations
Headquarters (NYC), Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), Krannert Center (Urbana, IL). He has
been performing extensively throughout the United States and Europe, both as a solo pianist
and with his own jazz trio/quartet/quintet. In 2008 he won the third jury prize and the audience
prize at the world renowned Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition in Switzerland, and in
2014, The Tesla Science Foundation in New York City, awarded him with a Recognition of
Achievement for his contribution in promoting the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla through Music.
In 2015, Vasiljević was a finalist of both Luminarts Jazz Competition in Chicago and the Kate
Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship competition. During his time at Berklee, he received the Jazz
Performance Award and the Piano Department Achievement Award, and while working on his
doctorate at UIUC, he received Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship. His most recent record
Accidental Nomad (Ropeadope Records) was competing in 4 categories for this year’s Grammy
Awards nominations. He has performed with renowned jazz artists such as Joe Lovano, Chris
Potter, Charles “Chip” McNeill, Tito Carrillo, Victor Garcia, Marko Đorđević, Klemens Marktl and
Brad Shepik, among others.

In addition to his composing/performing and teaching careers, Vasiljević also scores music for
films (There Has to Be More Than This; Tierra Utopia), and is one of the founding members
of Music Defying Boundaries, American nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging
individuals with experimental and improvised music through education, performance, and
documentation. For 5 years, he was also on the faculty of Blue Mountain Chamber Music
Festival summer camps in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Vasiljević is a Ropeadope
Records artist and a member of Jazz Education Network (JEN).
 QUOTES ABOUT DIMITRIJE VASILJEVIĆ
"Iridescent and captivating. A cascade of weaving twists and turns." - Chris Slawecki
(All About Jazz)

"Astonishing virtuosity, unique personality and straight to your heart sensibility. Dimitrije has it
all and is a new force to reckon with. I am a fan." - Jean-Michel Pilc

"Dimitrije's music occupies a unique space somewhere between the classical piano tradition and
jazz. Whatever you want to label this music, it's beautiful, full of bright melodies and strong
rhythms, and his command over the piano is astounding." - Chris Potter

"Possessing tremendous command and control of the piano, Dimitrije Vasiljevic has forged a
strong, unique and personal musical identity. His dark and brooding compositions come off as
highly personal and emotive, and he shows great musicality and maturity in his playing.
Dimitrije is definitely a contemporary pianist to watch out for!" - Martin Bejerano

"Dimitrije is a rare example of a musician whose qualities - sensibility, virtuosity, harmonic and
melodic invention - all converge towards the same point: a music of deep and rewarding beauty.
His latest CD is a brilliant demonstration of music making at the highest level." - Jean-Michel
Pilc

"Imaginative, harmonically intriguing music that centers around personal grooves. Expressive,
emotionally charged compositions in which modern jazz meets the music of the Balkans. Tight,
attentive interplay within the quartet. Congratulations, very nice, heartfelt music!"- Laszlo
Gardony

"Dimitrije's debut recording, "The Path of Silvan" features brilliantly balanced, intricate writing
and pithy solos throughout; a compelling and vibrant musical vision." - Brad Shepik

"Dimitrije captures the heart of Serbia with a jazz soul. His compositions are thoughtful and
personal and his playing evokes his great respect for the masters"
- Andy Milne

“Dimitrije Vasiljevic has lots of wonderful musical energies and his enthusiasm is boundless.”
- JoAnne Brackeen

“Dimitrije is a strong modern player with an impressive vocabulary. A powerful modern

improviser, shows promise that he will be a new voice in modern jazz.”- Tony Germain (Piano
Department at Berklee College of Music, Boston