Surprisingly, for anybody who knows the music of Canadian-born Alexander Zonjic (b. 1951), the classical and smooth-jazz flautist began his musical life as a rock guitarist. Zonjic purchased his first flute for all of nine dollars and soon became something of a prodigy on the woodwind instrument.
Growing up in Windsor, Ontario, Zonjic eventually relocated to Detroit, Michigan, where he studied under Ervin Monroe, the principal flautist for the Detroit Symphony for forty years. The two recorded three classically-oriented discs together between 1981 and 1997. But Zonjic also kept his toes in jazz, which is what brought the flautist to the attention of pianist, composer, arranger and producer Bob James.
The two first met in 1981, while the flautist was playing at the famed Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit. James was immediately impressed.
Indeed, Zonjic balances a steadfast facility with a soulful signature sound. His playing can be pretty when necessary. But even then, his attack is noticeably his own. Likewise, Zonjic, the improvisor, is a force to be reckoned with. James, likely sensing a kinship that he once shared with Hubert Laws, also recognized that Zonjic sounded nothing like Laws, who has his own distinctive prowess on flute.
Zonjic toured as part of James’s group throughout the eighties and nineties and can be seen as part of the 1988 video Bob James Live From the Queen Mary Festival )recorded 1985) in that role. The video can be seen here. Oddly, the only appearance Zonjic makes on a Bob James disc during this period is on three songs from the pianist’s 1988 disc Ivory Coast.
Alexander Zonjic has recorded several albums under his own name that feature Bob James as a guest player and contributor. A sampling of those follows, suggesting what an inspired pairing the two musicians made. Never much of a composer himself, Zonjic mostly records songs by his collaborators and covers of classical and smooth-ish jazz tunes of other composers. The majority of the songs featured here are by Bob James.
“Chicago Encounter” (Bob James) from When it is Real (1987): Alexander Zonjic (flute), Bob James (piano). Produced by Alexander Zonjic.
“Ashanti” (Bob James) from Ivory Coast (1988): Bob James (keyboards), Alexander Zonjic (flute), Dean Brown (guitar), Gary King (bass), Buddy Williams (drums), Leonard “Doc” Gibbs (percussion, animal sounds). Produced by Bob James.
The music video produced for “Ashanti” is included as part of the 1991 video Bob James: For the Record (on VHS and Laserdisc only), which can be seen here, thanks to ctproduced‘s Mark Cathcart. Zonjic also appears on “Adult Situations” and “Moodstar” from Ivory Coast.
“Altos de Chavon” (Bob James) from Romance with You (1988): Alexander Zonjic (flute), Bob James (keyboards), Earl Klugh (guitar), Eric Weissberg (electric guitar), Gary King (bass), Yogi Horton (drums), Leonard “Doc” Gibbs (percussion). Produced by Joe Jorgensen.
“Procession” (Bob James) from Neon (1991): Alexander Zonjic (flute), Bob James (keyboards, synthesizers), Leonard “Doc” Gibbs (percussion). Produced by Bob James and Alexander Zonjic.
“Hi-Falutin'” (Bob James/Max Risenhoover) from Neon (1991): Alexander Zonjic (flute), Bob James (keyboards), Hiram Bullock (guitar), Leonard “Doc” Gibbs (percussion). Produced by Bob James and Alexander Zonjic.
“Passion (Tadzio)” (Gary King) from Passion (1993): Alexander Zonjic (flute), Bob James (piano), James McMillan (keyboards, programming, arrangement), Ralphe Armstrong (bass), Kirk Whalum (vocals, programming, arrangement), Curtiss Boone (vocals). Produced by Kirk Whalum.
“Seldom Blue” (Hilary James/Bob James) from Seldom Blues (2004): Alexander Zonjic (flutes), Bob James (keyboards, programming), Michael Ripoli (guitar), Kyle Whalum (bass), Lamar Carter (drums), Kem (vocals), Kevin Whalum, Sherrie Kibble (background vocals). Produced by Bob James et al.
Written by Bob James and daughter Hilary at Alexander Zonjic’s request, “Seldom Blue” is named for a jazz supper club, Seldom Blues, in downtown Detroit. Opening in June 2004, the restaurant was co-owned by Alexander Zonjic. Due to the economic downturn in Detroit, prompted by the GM plant closing there, the restaurant closed in 2010.
“Passion Island” (Lao Tizer/Chieli Minucci) from Doin’ the D (2009): Alexander Zonjic (flute, arranger), Bob James (piano, arranger), Lao Tizer (keyboards), Chieli Minucci (keyboards, guitar, arranger), Jerry Brooks (bass) plus “The Motorcity Horns” with John Rutherford (trombone), Bob Jensen (trumpet/flugelhorn), Mark Byerly (trumpet/flugelhorn, arranger), Keith Kaminsky (tenor saxophone). Produced by Alexander Zonjic and Chieli Minucci.
Alexander Zonjic is still active on the Detroit scene, but has put out only one disc since Doin’ the D, the 2020 release Playing it Forward. This listener, who loves the sound that the pianist and the flautist made together, hopes that Bob James – who has since relocated to Michigan himself – and Alexander Zonjic find their way back to each other somehow.
“Westchester Lady” (Bob James) (2020?): The Alexander Zonjic Band with Special Guest Jeff Lorber.
Alexander Zonjic often performed “Westchester Lady” (1976), one of Bob James’s best-known tunes, during his decade-long tenure with the pianist’s band (he is also featured on the tune on the 1988 video release of Bob James Live From the Queen Mary Jazz Festival).
Here, the flautist performs an electrifying version of the song with terrific solos by Zonjic and his special guest, the incredible keyboardist/producer Jeff Lorber, who also provides major support on the Zonjic discs Reach for the Sky (2001), Seldom Blues (2004) and Doin’ the D (2009).