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Vladimir Samardzic

Vladimir Samardžić is a bass player, composer, educator, columnist and music editor. He is considered one of the most versatile and influential bass guitarists in Serbia and the former Yugoslavia. Leader of the jazz quintet PANNONIA PROJECT as well as VLADIMIR SAMARDŽIĆ TRIO. Vladimir graduated from Berklee College Of Music in Boston in 1999 with the highest honors, SUMMA CUM LAUDE. Collaborates with many of orchestras (Belgrade Philharmonic, Vojvodina Symphony Orchestra, Novi Sad Big Band and RTS Big Band), famous artists from Serbia and the region (Amira Medunjanin, Ante Gelo, JelenaTomašević, Dado Topić, Bisera Veletanlić) as well as world-renowned jazz names including Luis Bonilla, Antonio Sanchez, Thana Alexa, Alex Sipiagin, Bojan Zulfikarpashic, Felipe Salles, Mokhtar Samba.

Vladimir performed in the majority of European countries but also in North America and Australia. He was a member of the legendary Serbian rock band SMAK (1994-1997), world music ensemble Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis (2002- 2004), jazz fusion group Vasil Hadzimanov Band (2000-2010) and supporting bands for Serbian pop stars, Vlado Georgiev and Željko Samardžić.

For many years he has been active as a bass guitar teacher and lecturer at workshops and international jazz seminars (Jazz ExTempore, Opatija 2006, 2012; Int. Summer Jazz School Grožnjan, 2018-19). Together with fellow Berklee graduate, drummer Branko Popović, he is the initiator of the unique "BiB Seminars" for bassists and drummers. He transfers his vast knowledge and experience to musicians of all generations, from amateurs to professionals, at the VladaBass Bass Guitar School in Novi Sad, live and online. He has been a columnist for the BASISTA magazine-web portal since 2018, from the very beginning. For more than ten years, he has been running three radio jazz shows on the First radio program of RTV Vojvodina.

Vladimir's new album 'Catching the Wind' (SKC NS, 2022) in trio format, critiques, and audience experience as a new, fresh air on the Serbian and Europen jazz scene.

Awards

Berklee College of Music - BMG Jazz Award 1998
Berklee College of Music - Bass Department Achievement Award 1998

Gear

Bass guitars:

Tomisic MarkOne (4 string), F bass BN5, Pedulla PentaBuzz (fretless), Squier Fender Jazz Bass

Amps & Cabinets:

Markbass: LittleMark III (amp head), Traveler 112P (box), NY 121 (box)

Pedalborad:

Board: Pedalrail (Serbia)

BOSS: OC-2, PS-5, RC-3

MXR: Bass Chorus Delux, Bass Envelope Filter

EHM: Freeze

T.C.Electronic: Hall Of Fame 2, Ditto Looper, Spectra Comp

Vladimir Samardzic: Catching the Wind

Read "Catching the Wind" reviewed by Nenad Georgievski

by Nenad Georgievski
April 3, 2023

It is amazing that after 30 years as a bassist for various jazz, blues, and various other combos (most notably the Vasil Hadzimanov band), composer, bassist, and educator Vlada Samardzic has released his debut album under his name rather than using a band title. Catching the Wind showcases the kind of magic that appears when the right people, with the right skills and communication, come together at the right time to play on the right material. As an ...

Samardžić plays in his own way, he is not a "slave" to the rules or any so-called performer "standardization", already through his original approach, interpretatively aggressive to a good extent, he creates with a sure hand a wisely designed complete arrangement and unique performance process.

"Catching The Wind" reveals a convincing Samardžić, sure of himself and his knowledge, his playing has positive elements of aggressiveness, which, when performed in the way he himself promoted, represent a true rarity on today's international jazz scene. I don't think there is any need to add, how "Catching The Wind" is a quality and inspiring album.