Flutist Alexander Zonjic may be Canadian by birth and by citizenship, but Detroit - just across the river from his hometown of Windsor, Ontario - has been his second home for the better part of three decades. Regardless of the numerous roles he may be playing in the Motor City's music and entertainment scene on any given day - recording artist and performer of international stature, morning drive-time jazz radio personality, concert promoter, restaurateur and more - Detroit has adopted Zonjic as one of their own and has supported every aspect of his multi-faceted career.
Aided and accompanied by a variety of songwriters, performers and friends, Zonjic tips his hat to his adopted city on, Doin' The D.The album features guest appearances by saxophonist Kenny G, trumpeter Rick Braun, Special EFX guitarist Chieli Minucci, vocalist Maysa Leak and many others. In addition to the many new faces, longtime collaborators Jeff Lorber and Bob James make substantial contributions to Doin' The D.
In the end, Doin' the D is more than just a star-studded nod to Zonjic's adopted hometown. In a larger sense, it's part of his ongoing effort to carry the torch passed on to him by figures like Canadian jazz flutist Moe Kaufmann and jazz innovator Herbie Mann - and to perhaps even be the messenger who takes the flute to a place of higher prominence as a voice in the smooth & pop-jazz idiom.
"In the classical world, the flute has a huge stature, but it has struggled in recent years to be considered a solo jazz instrument on the same level as the saxophone or guitar and piano," Zonjic says. "The instrument suffers from this weird stereotype that it's somehow lightweight - something relegated to playing bird sounds in an orchestra setting. But anyone who hears this record will know that the flute is capable of delivering strong melodies and strong solos. In the right hands, the flute is a musical force to be reckoned with."
Released: 2009