Primary Instrument: Saxophone
Founded in 1999 by Zdenko Ivanusic and Andrej Henigman. Current members of the quartet are Zdenko Ivanusic /ss, as/; Andrej Henigman /as/; Vanja Ilekovic /ts/; Ales Susa /bari/. Since its founding, the DLSQ has appeared on concert stages, on radio and on television. The DLSQ performs arrangements of jazz standards, though the arrangements and originals of the 29th Street Saxophone Quartet and World Saxophone Quartet could also be found on its repertoire. The quartet aims toward recognizable sound through original compositions composed by Zdenko Ivanusic. In addition to being a well-trained instrumentalist, each member has a great flexibility and improvisational skills so needed in jazz and contemporary classical music. The DLSQ is an ensemble that creates robust sound with blowing approach, but can be lyrical with airy sound in ballads.
Last Updated: August 6, 2011
...catchy vamp by the two altos and tenor serves as the bridge. Ivanušić's stop-and-start solo leaves space for an accompanying line by the other saxophonists to take the forefront, as his velvety tone accentuates his intricate and lively post-bop runs. After Ivanušić revisits the theme, with the contrapuntal backing of his bandmates, the vamp/bridge creates a perfect resolution. There is an easeful mastery at work here that simply must be heard....Scott Albin @ Jazz.com
There’s frankly very little that’s mellow about “Mellow,” it is one very unique recording featuring an ensemble of saxophones at times playing in harmonious unison while at other times launching lengthy sax chases that are anything but mellow. The Donna Lee Quartet does a fine job here with a muscle performance on the reeds that succeeds in making one forget about the need for a traditional rhythm section....Edward Blanco @ eJazzNews.com
...throughout Mellow, The Donna Lee Saxophone Quartet succeeds at displaying its own musical identity, inspired by its predecessors while standing alone, not only in Croatia but throughout the jazz world... Scott Yanow, Liner Notes
Mellow
Zivaldo Records
2008
Four Odd
Zivaldo Records
2005
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
