Critical Reviews
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Piano virtuoso, Fulbright Scholar and International Steinway Artist, James Jelasic was born into a noble family descended from Croatian aristocrats. He continues the rich musical heritage established by his maternal grandfather, Jan Nemec, a composer and playwright in Czechoslovakia in the early 1900s. In the family tradition, he began his piano studies at the age of six and, at age nineteen, had twice been featured as a concerto soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Jelasic is a native of Dearborn, Michigan, and received his early musical training at the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts, his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance on full scholarship from Eastern Michigan University, and his Master of Music degree in Accompanying and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He has also done advanced studies at the Sorbonne in Paris and at Warwick University in Coventry, England. Mr. Jelasic’s master teachers include such distinguished artists as Gordon Green of the Royal Academy of Music in London, England; Eugene Bossart in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Martin Katz in Boulder, Colorado and Akron, Ohio; and Leonard Hokenson in Augsburg, Germany.
Under the gracious patronage of the Richard Strauss Family, Mr. Jelasic resided for a year in Munich, Germany. While there he performed extensively as both a soloist and accompanist and conducted advanced research into the interpretation of the German lied. He then moved to Paris, having been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholar grant to research the interpretation of the French mélodie with the internationally acclaimed baritone, Gérard Souzay. At that time, in recognition of Mr. Jelasic’s remarkable abilities as a performer and his demonstrated interest in the French culture, the Government of France sponsored his residency during the international summer music festival at the Maurice Ravel Academy in St. Jean-de-Luz, France. During his residency in Paris, Mr. Jelasic was also a guest lecturer at the American College in Paris/WICE and did extensive concert touring throughout France and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Jelasic has received critical international acclaim for his appearances with numerous symphony orchestras, as a solo pianist and as a collaborative performer in concert recitals. Several of his live performances have been broadcast on the BBC Radio — Cornwall, England; Radio France ‘Live from Salle Gaveau’ — Paris; WGMS-FM two performances of ‘Live from the National Gallery of Art’ — Washington, D.C.; KING-FM in Seattle and PBS Television. Mr. Jelasic has performed for U.S. presidents, foreign heads of state, ambassadors, and royalty.
James Jelasic has released several recordings on the Water’s Edge Records label including the complete Chopin Waltzes and a 2-CD set of the complete Chopin Nocturnes, as well as a recording of his society dance band entitled Enter Club Havana. His fourth release, Ich Liebe Dich, is an all-German recording of solo voice and piano literature with the American Tenor, Jon Lackey. In 2013, Mr. Jelasic’s recording of one of the Chopin Waltzes was included in the soundtrack of the French film, La Cage Dorée, directed by Ruben Alves and distributed worldwide by Pathé Films.
He has taught on the music faculty of Northern Virginia College. Currently residing in metropolitan Seattle, Mr. Jelasic maintains a full schedule as a classical soloist, piano tutor (both in-person and internationally on Zoom), accompanist/vocal coach, and recording artist. Having served at churches on both the east and west coasts, he also continues his work as a Minister of Music conducting choirs and performing as the organist and pianist.
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Critical Reviews
“Mr. Jelasic’s pianism was a sound to behold!”
— Charles McCardell, The Washington Post —
“The performance of accompanist, James Jelasic, was shimmering throughout.”
— Roy Guenther, The Washington Post —
***** (Five-Star) A Masterful Performance
“James Jelasic’s stirring performance of Chopin’s waltzes is the finest I’ve heard. His voicing
technique combined with a precise execution of the music makes this one of the most listenable works
I own. Open a bottle of wine, find a comfortable leather chair, and put on this CD. You won’t be disappointed.”
— Mega Music Reviews.com —
“James Jelasic — excellent musician with a talent admired by all … impressive and securely facile.”
— Music Critic, Journal de Blois, Blois, France —
“In his brilliant execution, Jelasic captures and transports us with his art to the imaginary musical
world of Chopin, which is difficult to find in other recordings of Chopin’s music. With profound
technique on the piano, when Jelasic plays Chopin, he makes us feel the composer’s expression, times,
passages of life, and personality.”
— Eddie Galleno, La Nación, Washington, D.C. —
“The performance by James Jelasic & His Dance Band at the Detroit Opera House was very entertaining.
Mr. Jelasic projected his love of music, and contributed greatly to the success of the event hosted
by our president, Jac Nasser.”
— Paulette Moreno - Ford Motor Company —
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CD Releases
Enter Club Havana |
Chopin Waltzes |
Chopin Nocturnes |
Ich Liebe Dich
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