Zdenko Ivanusic
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Zdenko Ivanusic (born 1967) is a Croatian saxophonist and composer.
He was born in Zagreb, and graduated in saxophone performance at the Zagreb Academy of Music. He has been a dynamic member of the Croatian music scene since 1990. He leads his own groups and is in demand as a sideman in various ensembles and groups. Through his experience in so-called classical music, jazz, fusion and funk he attains a unique approach in most musical settings, from a symphonic orchestra, chamber ensembles to a big band, a saxophone quartet or a small band. Although recognizable through his inimitable blowing style, contemporary harmonic and phrasing achievements, he still owes much to the tradition. He leads Donna Lee Saxophone Quartet and his own small bands, which are, besides jazz standards, focused on promoting his compositions and original arrangements. He has been arranging the repertoire of genuine modernists of jazz, such as G. Gershwin, C. Mingus, W. Shorter, B. Watson, S. Coleman and J. Zawinul. His tastes go even further, to Cuban nuance and humor. In compositions, polyrhythmic and polytonality is frequently employed, as well as emotional intensity and improvisational clarity. As the principal alto chair in Croatian Army Symphonic Wind Orchestra he had a chance to work with many distinguished conductors such as Uros Lajovic, Vjekoslav Sutej, Pavle Despalj, Tim Reynish, Niksa Bareza, Miljenko Prohaska, Mladen Tarbuk, which was a great experience. He has been playing with the Zagreb Philharmonic, Croatian Radiotelevision Symphonic Orchestra, Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb and Zagreb City Theatre "Komedija". He was soloist and lead alto with HGM Jazz Orchestra Zagreb, under the leadership of Austrian band leader Sigi Feigl since it was founded in 2002 to 2006. He also collaborates with well-known Croatian musicians such as Zvonimir Bucevic - Buc(The Bucers), Dudo Vorih, Ladislav Fidri (Super Session All Stars Big Band), Miro Kadoic (Mirokado) and popular bands: Brain Holidays (reggae), Flyer (pop), Soul Train (p-funk). He has shared the stage with many distinguished musicians such as Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Don Menza, Bobby Shew, John Riley, Earl Gardner, Peter Herbolzheimer, Kevin Mahogany, Barbara Denerlein, to name a few. He has released two albums for Zivaldo Records: Four Odd (Donna Lee Saxophone Quartet) and solo album Lost in HTML.
