60 YEARS

Jazz

Format: Digitalno + CD

Code: 120121

EAN: 3838898120121

The year 1965 is considered one of the turning points in the history of jazz. It saw the release of albums that are still regarded as cornerstones of the genre today – A Love Supreme by John Coltrane, Song for My Father by Horace Silver, The Thing to Do by Blue Mitchell, Juju by Wayne Shorter, and E.S.P. by Miles Davis. In that same year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) founded its first European Radio Jazz Orchestra. Each year, this project brings together outstanding musicians from different countries who, under the direction of a selected conductor, premiere specially commissioned works in a new host country. Last year, the major milestone – the 60th anniversary – was also marked by a collaboration between the Slovenian and Croatian national radio broadcasters. Nineteen musicians from fifteen European countries, under the direction of conductor and composer Matjaž Mikuletič, performed in Ljubljana at Cukrarna and the following day in Zagreb at Kontesa Club. Slovenia was additionally represented by bassist Jošt Lampret and singer Joliette Anžlovar. The album European Radio Jazz Orchestras – 60 Years, released by ZKP RTV Slovenija in collaboration with Radio Slovenija – Program Ars, was recorded in the Croatian capital. “Sixty years of collaboration, shared creativity, and the shaping of a European future have resulted in an impressive number of outstanding concerts, new compositions, and directions in contemporary European jazz. Each year in a different host country, with different musicians, a new conductor, and music written especially for the occasion. The high anniversary – the orchestra’s 60th year – was also marked by the collaboration between the Slovenian and Croatian national radio broadcasters. We experienced a repeat of the Ljubljana concert in the Kontesa Club in the center of Zagreb. Thanks to editor Jelena Balent and the entire HRT team. Special thanks go to all the musicians, and especially to conductor and composer Matjaž Mikuletič, who conceived and wrote all the compositions. Long live the European Radio Jazz Orchestra!” wrote music editor, host, jazz expert, and former artistic director of the RTV Slovenia Big Band Hugo Šekoranja.

Matjaž Mikuletič
(conductor / arranger / composer)

Born in 1975, Matjaž Mikuletič first studied piano before focusing primarily on the trombone. After completing secondary music school, he enrolled at the Jazz Academy in Graz, Austria, where he graduated in the class of Professor Ed Neumeister. He soon began arranging and composing, writing for both small and large ensembles.

He collaborated on the project Vitaly y su timba Habanera, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. As a member of various orchestras, he has worked with numerous jazz greats, including Herb Pomeroy, Peter Erskine, Maria Schneider, Bill Holman, Clark Terry, Michael Abene, Kurt Elling, Paquito D'Rivera, Patti Austin, Mike Stern, and Ernie Watts.

Since 2024, he has been the artistic director of the Big Band RTV Slovenija, for which he also arranges and composes. In 2004, he represented Slovenia as a trombonist in the European Radio Jazz Orchestra in Switzerland. Twenty years later, he returns as a conductor and composer.