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An interview on my blog with Dimitrije Vasiljevic.

http://www.polishookstudio.com/2013/11/online-jazz-piano-dimitrije-vasiljevic.html

DImitrije's a fabulous jazz pianist from Serbia. He's currently stirring and contributing a ton to the NYC jazz cauldron.

Dimitrije talks about how to begin with odd meters in the interview and how he got started with jazz in Serbia to begin with and then coming to the US and being in NYC, etc.

Extremely engaging interview.
In particular, I was interested in Dimmy's clear articulation of his three modern influences.
His sound is definitely fresh.

Also agree fully about JM Pilc's personal, feelings-driven sound.
How very blessed to have such a cool mentor !

Finally, I was struck by Dimmy's work ethic, the hours, days, months and years in becoming the jazz player he is.

Thanks Cus!

Going from no-teachers-at-all to NYC is quite a story and playing at the level he does is quite a story!

Great article. Must be fun and inspiring to interview such dedicated, hardworking musicians.

I like his explanation of Charlie Parker's famous quote, when we refers to the other musician as not thinking in terms of theory but in terms of color, feeling, etc.

I'm not an aspiring jazz pianist, but a composer, but I always feel like I relate so well to the jazz musicians when I read their interviews. Jazz artists emphasize mastery and self expression above all and this is my own approach and goal in writing and improvising music.

I think it is great too how he values education but recognizes and speaks on the importance of teaching ourselves as musicians. No one can teach you how to say what you feel. They can provide language, grammar, but they can't know or give your feelings.

Stalefleas,



It pretty much is a ton of fun and super inspiring. Really, it's a privilege to talk with anyone who gives you a straight, direct answer about they put it all together. Dimitrije's one of the really special ones - he went into the practice room and just stayed in there and until everything came together! Just him, the piano, his ears.

I'd say he was really good at explaining EXACTLY what you point out. How you can work w/people but in the end it's the individual. Couldn't agree with you more.

... I've known heaps of composers who didn't play jazz but couldn't live without out it and it was their music of preference ... MIchael Torke - http://www.michaeltorke.com/ - told me a long time ago that he used to go to Greenwich Village jazz clubs every night.