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Zvonimir Tot

Zvonimir Tot (z-VON-e-mere TOTE) is a jazz guitarist, composer and arranger with a style deeply rooted in the jazz tradition but flavored by his European origin. He holds too many university degrees. Tot has performed in the United States, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, and Spain. He has performed and/or recorded with many world-renowned musicians, including:

- Saxophonists Chris Potter, Scott Hamilton, Billy Harper, Jamey Aebersold, Eric Alexander, Chip McNeill, and Peter King
- Violinists Johnny Frigo and Stefan Milenković
- Drummers Ernie Adams, Paul Wertico and Byron Landham
- Bassists Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and John Clayton
- Pianists Larry Novak and Larry Vuckovich
- Harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy
- Accordionist Lelo Nika
- Guitarists Philip Catherine, Henry Johnson, and Paulinho Garcia
- Organists Joey DeFrancesco and Bobby Floyd
- Vocalists Patricia Barber, Jackie Allen, and Carmen Lundy

Tot has recorded seven CDs as a leader: Balkan Roots (Groove Art Records, 2022), Sarabande Blue (Groove Art Records, 2021), Standards Live at the Jazz Showcase (Groove Art Records, 2016), Eloquent Silence (Chicago Sessions, 2009), Unspoken Desire (Groove Art Records, 2007), Blue Quest (Groove Art Records, 2007), and Travels and Dreams (Groove Art Records, 2004), as well as numerous CDs as a sideman. Tot is also the author of the book Jazz Guitar Harmony – The Melodic Approach, published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz in 2016. He has been a faculty member at the world-renowned Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Workshops since 2016. Zvonimir Tot has been appointed a Fulbright Specialist in 2018. He is an endorsing artist for Godin electric/MIDI guitars, Taylor acoustic guitars, D'Addario strings, Acoustic Image amplifiers, Raezer's Edge speakers, and Finale music notation software. Zvonimir Tot is based in Xalapa (Veracruz, México), and Chicago (Illinois, USA).

Gear

Zvonimir Tot endorses Godin electric/MIDI guitars, Taylor acoustic guitars, D'Addario strings, Acoustic Image amplifiers, Raezer's Edge speakers, and Finale music notation software.

Zvonimir Tot's Jazz Stringtet: Sarabande Blue

by Howard Mandel
March 28, 2023

"On this record I'm trying to fuse two things I know something about: classical composition and jazz," says Zvonimir Tot, the Serbian-born, jny: Chicago-based guitarist, composer, arranger, improviser and educator regarding Sarabande Blue, his sixth album as a leader. The debut of Tot's Stringtet, an ensemble several years in development, is a gift from a musical artist who has integrated his experiences and accomplishments in a most gratifying way--providing us passage to the state of mind where genre definitions fade ...

Album Review

Shawn Maxwell: Expectation & Experience

Read "Expectation & Experience" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 22, 2021

On Expectation & Experience, his tenth recording as a leader, Chicago-based woodwind specialist Shawn Maxwell is accompanied by almost thirty musicians—but never by more than three on any of its seventeen tracks. Maxwell says the compositions were written during the global Covid-19 pandemic, and the musicians were mustered singly, most in their own homes. While each of the compositions has a “theme," none is readily apparent from its performance, and listeners should feel free to overlook that aspect and focus ...

Take Five With...

Take Five with Zvonimir Tot

by AAJ Staff
March 1, 2021

Musician Zvonimir Tot: Zvonimir Tot (z-VON-e-mere TOTE) is a jny: Chicago-based jazz guitarist, composer and arranger with a style deeply rooted in the jazz tradition but flavored by his European origin. Tot has performed in the United States, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, and Spain. He has performed and/or recorded with many world-renowned musicians, including: Saxophonists Chris Potter, Scott Hamilton, Billy Harper, Jamey Aebersold, Eric Alexander, and Peter King; Violinists Johnny Frigo ...

Album Review

Zvonimir Tot's Jazz Stringtet: Sarabande Blue

Read "Sarabande Blue" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
January 27, 2021

Guitarist Zvonimir Tot says there are two things he knows something about, classical composition and jazz. He combines those two bodies of knowledge in his presentation of Sarabande Blue. The Serbian-born and now Chicago-based guitarist collaborated with a “string quintet" for the outing, adding the bass of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Robert Kassenger to a string quartet, in addition to his own guitar. Much of the music is through-composed; some is improvised--Tot is a jazz guy. All of ...

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Album Review

Zvonimir Tot: Eloquent Silence

Read "Eloquent Silence" reviewed by Matthew Warnock

by Matthew Warnock
June 23, 2009

Eloquent Silence is an introspective yet powerful album by Chicago guitar virtuoso Zvonimir Tot. The album features an all-star band including bassist Larry Gray, drummer Ernie Adams, saxophonist Mark Colby and brass specialist Orbert Davis. All of the tunes were composed and arranged by the multi-faceted guitarist and reflect Tot's diverse educational and performing background. Bouncing between hard-driving funk tunes, laid back ballads, rock-inspired grooves and Latin beats, Tot's compositions spin a web of musical eloquence that is both engaging ...

126

Album Review

Zvonimir Tot Trio: Blue Quest

Read "Blue Quest" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
June 17, 2007

Serbian-born, Chicago-based guitarist Zvonimir Tot opens up his second CD as a leader, Blue Quest, with the old American church hymn, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee." There's reverence in the sound, but it's not a tranquil or meditative approach. Tot and his trio--which includes bassist Larry Gray and drummer Charles Heath--soup the tune up considerably. It sounds as if that dude with whom they are walking is a pretty hip guy, and is not in anyway averse to getting ...

162

Album Review

Zvonimir Tot: Travels and Dreams

Read "Travels and Dreams" reviewed by Rich Friedman

by Rich Friedman
April 4, 2004

What makes jazz so vibrant is its sponge-like ability to incorporate different styles and cultural perspectives. On Travels and Dreams guitarist and composer Zvonimir Tot, who now calls Chicago home, skillfully mines his Eastern European roots and virtuoso technique to produce an especially appealing mix of ballads, bop, funk, bossa nova and bluesy originals. A team of trumpeter Art Davis, bassist Nick Tountas, and Rusty Jones, on drums, the quartet delivers tunes that are skillfully composed, packed solid with rich ...

The debut of Tot's Stringtet, an ensemble several years in development, is a gift from a musical artist who has integrated his experiences and accomplishments in a most gratifying way – providing us passage to the state of mind where genre definitions fade as the sheer, sweet beauty of gracefully flowing sound abounds. Howard Mandel, jazz critic and author
(...) Zvonimir Tot (is) an exceptional jazz guitarist. The fluidity of his technique, the bent-note expressiveness of his pitch and the sleekly melodic quality of his improvisations have earned him wide admiration. Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune When he improvises, Zvonimir evidences many things, from the intensity of a conservatory virtuoso to the serene patience of a Zen guru, and always, the love of lore that characterizes griots and troubadours the world over. Neil Tesser, Grammy award-winning jazz critic; author, Playboy Guide to Jazz Zvonimir Tot (...) has a cool tone, a fluent style, and is a subtle improviser who hints at a great deal of inner heat. Scott Yanow, jazz critic and author I know aspiring guitarists will love this book. Jazz guitar master Larry Coryell about the book Jazz Guitar Harmony - The Melodic Approach Mr. Tot's harmonic knowledge goes deep and is evidenced by the ease with which he plays. I can hear the jazz masters in his playing and the admiration he has for all guitarists of stature that have come before him. The foremost jazz educator Jamey Aebersold about the book Jazz Guitar Harmony - The Melodic Approach ”Tot himself is diverse, selective and a master of the strings.” George W. Harris, JazzWeekly.com (Tot's) haunting reading of guitarist Luis Bonfá's masterpiece "Black Orpheus" shimmers with lyricism as his strings sparkle in the expectant silent pauses. Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine Tot keeps one-upping himself with every disc he puts out, and Eloquent Silence is a fantastic example of just how brilliant a guitarist, writer and arranger he is.(from the CD review of "Eloquent Silence") ...Blue Quest is always grooving, from first note to last. (...) All in all, this is a spectacular disc... Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine Tot's compositions spin a web of musical eloquence that is both engaging and intellectually provocative. (His) virtuosic chops and strong sense of melody shine throughout. Dr. Matthew Warnock, AllAboutJazz.com His “Lady Agatha,” (…) has a deliberate delicacy, a ballad that unfolds at a measured pace, with Tot's playing glowing with a beautifully ethereal quality. Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz ...Tot throws out some greasy guitar licks that are simply fantastic. Dan Bilawsky, Jazz Improv Magazine (Z.T.) ...is an extrovert soloist who plays from the heart. He improvises with a typical Balkan singing quality, an intense feeling for the blues, rich imagination, and unbelievably fast fingers. Jeroen de Valk, Dutch jazz critic, Het Parool, Amsterdam ...Travels and Dreams is a remarkable disc and Zvonimir Tot is someone deserving far greater recognition. Rich Friedman, All About Jazz Zvonimir Tot's rapid fire guitar sets the pace in this fine ensemble. His ballad style also highlights this recording with soulful elegance. (...) 4 stars. John Gilbert, ejazznews.com His sound is inspired by all, from Kenny Burrell to Pat Metheny but yet distinctly his own. Marshall Vente, Jazz Institute of Chicago Tot is an inspirational player of the guitar; (...) his largamente style feels like one big stretch. Ferdinand Maylin, JazzNow Such beautiful music from some scary looking guys. Comment by a YouTube user

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

https://www.zt-music.com/lessons I teach a limited number of private students at locations in Chicago, western suburbs and via Zoom or Skype. I have over 30 years of teaching experience at all levels. If you want to major in jazz guitar, you may be able to study with me at University of Illinois-Chicago Please contact me for details. Current position: Clinical Associate Professor of Music, University of Illinois at Chicago. Education: Doctor of Musical Arts (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), Master of Music (Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois), Bachelor of Music (Amsterdam Conservatory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Bachelor of Music (Franz Liszt Academy of Musical Arts, Budapest, Hungary).