Vladimir Nikolov Nonet: History Now

“History Now” is the latest original project by Vladimir Nikolov, approaching history as a social construct, a musical heritage, and a personal experience. Starting from the idea that history is not merely a collection of past events, but a source of patterns and structures that continue to shape the way we see the world, Nikolov turns it into raw material for the creation of new music.

At the heart of the project is a re-examination of stories and myths, as well as musical styles that we often perceive as fixed and immutable categories. The project’s motto — “Myths are styles, and styles are myths” — serves as a point of departure for a playful engagement with musical history and its legacy. Ten original compositions weave together a range of influences, from bebop, funk, and samba to bossa nova, rock, and the music of New Orleans. Among them are tributes to Lyle Mays and Antônio Carlos Jobim, while other references emerge as part of the composer’s personal and intuitive musical experience.

A defining feature of the project is the interplay between meticulously crafted arrangements and open-ended improvisation. The compositions were written with specific musicians in mind, leaving ample room for their individual voices and expressive identities. As a result, the structural stability of the compositions is constantly set against the freedom of the moment. The nonet features Ivan Radivojević (trumpet), Luka Ignjatović (alto saxophone), Kristijan Mlačak (tenor saxophone), Matija Evetović (trombone), and Đorđe Kujundžić (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet), with Sava Miletić on piano, Milan Nikolić on double bass, Aleksandar Cvetković on drums, and Vladimir Nikolov on guitar.

“History Now” is not a reconstruction of the past, but a dialogue between the past and the present. History becomes a tool for creating new music — a way of reshaping familiar patterns, extending them, and bringing them into contact with what is being created in the here and now.

Vladimir Nikolov Nonet will present the project in its premiere performance at the 42nd Belgrade Jazz Festival. The album was recorded in late August 2026, with its release scheduled for 2027.

This project was produced by Vladimir Nikolov, and supported by SOKOJ (Serbian Music Authors’ Organization).