While respecting the harmonic contours and deeply ingrained melodies of those oft-covered tunes, and others presented here on Archtop Avenue, Zjaca puts his own personal stamp on them through reharmonization, subtle rhythmic shifts and improvisational flights. Recording each track with a different archtop guitar, he interprets these beloved standards, and a few originals, with taste and invention. Always mindful of addressing the bass line while delivering rich chord voicings and spinning fluid melody lines, he strikes a delicate balancing act on these 12 tunes from Archtop Avenue. The prospect of playing standards in an unaccompanied setting -- juggling chords, melody and bass lines -- can be a daunting task for most guitarists. The legendary Jim Hall found the prospect terrifying, while the great Joe Pass may have set the standard for solo guitar with his series of Virtuoso recordings from the 1970s. Pass' influence weighs heavily throughout Archtop Avenue. You can hear it in the masterful, contrapuntal playing by Zjaca on Duke Ellington's gorgeous ballad Prelude To A Kiss, on Jimmy Van Heusen's Darn That Dream, and his introspective take on George & Ira Gershwin's Someone to Watch Over Me. The longtime resident of Rotterdam, Netherlands explores those familiar vehicles with a mix of reverence and adventure in this intimate and demanding solo guitar outing, his 17th album as a leader/co-leader. Dedicated to the world's most famous guitar builders and inspired by a list of musical teachers who opened up his musical horizons, from Joe Pass and Jim Hall to Joe Diorio, Mick Goodrick and Vic Juris, Archtop Avenue is a compelling addition to the canon of solo guitar and a crowning achievement in Zjaca's career to date.
Release date:
October 20, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Mulatu Astatke Mulatu Plays Mulatu
Strut
September 26, 2025 -
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Perimenopop
Republic Records
September 12, 2025 -
Signs of the Swarm To Rid Myself Of Truth (Silver)
Century Media Int'l
August 29, 2025 -
The Last Dinner Party From The Pyre
Island
October 17, 2025 -
Faetooth Labyrinthine (Sea Blue) [2xLP]
Flenser
September 5, 2025 -
Black Honey Soak
Black Honey
August 15, 2025 -
BEAT Live [3xLP]
Inside Out Music
September 26, 2025 -
Madonna Veronica Electronica
Warner Records
October 10, 2025 -
HAAi HUMANiSE (Crystal Clear) [2xLP]
Deko Music
October 10, 2025 -
Jack Garratt Pillars (Marbled Grass)
Cooking Vinyl
August 15, 2025 -
Wednesday Bleeds - Eco Mix
Dead Oceans
September 19, 2025 -
Robert Jon & The Wreck Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes (Crystal Clear)
Journeyman Records
August 22, 2025 -
Genesis The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway [7xLP]
Atlantic Catalog Group
September 26, 2025 -
Madi Diaz Fatal Optimist
Anti
October 10, 2025