Vladimir Kostadinović – Iris

 Running time: 90 minutes 

Alex Sipiagin, trumpet; Jaka Kopač, alto saxophone; Joe Locke, vibraphone; Joshua Ginsburg, double bass; Vladimir Kostadinović, drums


Vienna-based Serbian drummer Vladimir Kostadinović, who has lived and worked in the Austrian capital for many years, is regarded as one of the most sought-after drummers of his generation. His musicality, responsiveness and finely controlled dynamics, combined with an in-depth knowledge of both the jazz tradition and contemporary musical expression, have earned him the respect of audiences, critics and fellow musicians alike. An active presence on the international jazz scene for more than two decades, Kostadinović has performed with some of the genre’s greatest icons, including Benny Golson, John Patitucci, George Garzone, Eddie Henderson, Kevin Hays, Duško Gojković and Gregory Porter. Frequent invitations from Slovenian jazz musicians have led to collaborations with Igor Matković and Marko Črnčec, as well as Jaka Kopač, who will join the line-up for the Ljubljana concert alongside legendary vibraphonist Joe Locke, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin and bassist Josh Ginsburg.

The quintet will present Iris, the third album of original compositions that Kostadinović has recorded as a bandleader at the renowned Samurai Studios in New York City, featuring what he himself describes as a “jazz NBA team” – Sipiagin, saxophonists Chris Potter and Ben Wendel, vibraphonist Locke, pianist Geoff Keezer and bassist Matt Brewer. The original compositions reveal a modern, quintessentially New York jazz style that resonates with Kostadinović, infused – particularly in the emotional, lyrical passages – with a Balkan melodic sensibility. “Kostadinović doesn’t sound like a European jazz drummer; he sounds very American, but with a touch of something different,” wrote a critic in Modern Drummer, praising his musicality and the ensemble dynamics of the studio band.

Released in 2025 on the Dutch label Criss Cross Jazz, Iris was named one of the Best Jazz Albums of the Year by DownBeat magazine.