At the time when the Zagreb Music Biennale was trying to arrange a concert in Zagreb with the Italian American percussionist/composer Andrea Centazzo, a legend of free jazz and contemporary improvised music, the great connoisseur of free jazz Ladislav Mateić died of covid.
His widow decided to donate Mateić's rich collection of free jazz and contemporary improvised music albums to an institution that will make the material available to people. The choice fell on the City Library in Zagreb, whose leadership decided to make it a separate “Collection of Ladislav Mateić”.
A proposal was made to organize a concert on the occasion of the opening of the collection, and since it contains many releases by the distinguished contemporary artist Andrea Centazzo and his record company ICTUS, it was decided that he would perform at the opening.
In addition, since there are many editions of Steve Lacy in the aforementioned collection, and Centazzo was his collaborator and publisher, the theme of the concert was a tribute to Steve Lacy, the most important soprano saxophone player in the history of contemporary jazz and one of the most respected improvisers.
Since Saša Nestorović is an expert in Lacy's music, the organizer brought them together and this duo was born.
Quite logically, their performances were included in the MBZ program.
Centazzo performed a duo concert with Nestorović on March 28 at the Italian Community in Rijeka, on the 30th at the Providur Palace in Zadar and on the 31st at the Multimedia Hall of the City Library in Zagreb.
That it was a special musical endeavor was already clear at the first sound check in Rijeka, which was also their first musical rehearsal. In fact, they met then, but they gave the impression that they had known each other all their lives. After the instruments were set up, Andrea suggested which song they could perform and they started - boom, as if they had been playing together for years.
Namely, Centazzo sent to Saša his compositions and his Lacy's arrangements in advance, and Saša actively rehearsed them, although this is not necessarily a guarantee for a good joint performance. However, Saša studied and absolved Andrea's entire creation and penetrated into the spirit of his music, into his personality. After all, it turned out that they are kindred spirits. Perhaps the catalyst was Steve Lacy's uplifting music, after all?!
After that first performance, we were anxiously waiting for what the master would say, and Andrea blurted out without thinking: “That's it!” From that moment on, their collaboration took place in a relaxed atmosphere and creative enthusiasm. This was evident already on the same evening, at the first concert, and confirmation of their organic synergy and permeation of musical ideas came from music connoisseurs, as well as the audience. It was like that at other concerts as well. Andrea was so delighted that he expressed his desire to continue to work with this duo.

Davor Hrvoj
Jazz journalist
Jazz photographer
davor.hrvoj@zg.t-com.hr
davor.hrvoj8@gmail.com
www.jazz.hr