This Macedonian soul man mashes disco and fusion into luxurious pop concoctions.
-Time Out New York
Vladimir Cetkar (pronounced Chet-kar) is a Macedonian recording artist who is based in NYC.
Hailed by international critics as one of the most exciting names in his genre and a fresh music force which is unique in today’s music industry, Vladimir Cetkar’s hallmark is his ability to seamlessly combine his many talents as a composer, guitarist, vocalist, arranger, orchestrator and producer of the highest order.
He was born in Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia where, in his childhood, he played the violin.
He was greatly influenced by such jazz, funk, soul and disco bands and artists as Change, Chic, Earth Wind and Fire, Patrice Rushen, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Jamiroquai and many more. Later in life, Vladimir came to the United States to attend Berklee College of Music where he focused on contemporary writing and production with jazz guitar as his main instrument.
His critically acclaimed album releases of his original music ‘We Will Never End’, ‘Heavenly’, ‘Going Home’ and ‘Let Us Be’ have positioned him internationally as one of the most distinguished names in the jazz-soul-funk genre and have ensured an active touring schedule headlining performances at some of the largest and most prestigious music festivals in the world such as Jarasum Jazz festival (South Korea), Blue Note Jazz Festival (USA), Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Sziget Festival (Hungary), Penang Jazz Festival (Malaysia), Hong Kong Jazz Festival (Hong Kong), Beishan Jazz Festival (China), Hui Hin Jazz Festival (Thailand), Mood Indigo (India), Phnom Penh Jazz Festival (Cambodia), Nisville Jazz Festival (Serbia), Debrecen Flower Carnival (Hungary), Thailand Smile Jazz Festival (Thailand), Ohrid Summer Festival (Macedonia) and many more.
His evident musical influences may transport you back in time to the musical era when bands like Chic and Earth Wind and Fire ruled the musical cosmos. But Vladimir’s new sound, original music expression, and contemporary production return you to the present, and portend a strong future for this genre of music.