"I thank God almighty for everything, for Coltrane, Barry Harris, Charles McPherson and all the cats connected to the spirit," said Vuckovich, who plays a duo concert with guitarist Kai Lyons at Oakland's Piedmont Piano Company Sunday, Dec. 8, his 88th birthday. His gratitude extends not just to musicians of his time but also to the greats who laid the foundation for jazz, underscoring the importance of lineage and inspiration in his life.
"I'm listening to the greats, and I'm inspired by all of them, Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell, Bill Evans, Joe Zawinul," he told the Chronicle on a recent call from his home in Calistoga. "I'm trying to learn from them and edit my playing, choosing the right notes." This reveals Vuckovich's continual growth as a musician and his dedication to honoring the legacy of those before him.
In a career spanning three continents and some six decades, Vuckovich has been choosing enough right notes to keep company with many of jazz's mightiest minds. His work reflects not just his skill but also a commitment to innovation in jazz, blending genres and cultures through his sound.
Born into a Serbian family in Kotor, Yugoslavia, in what is now Montenegro, Vuckovich fell in love with jazz while listening to Armed Forces Radio and Voice of America broadcasts during World War II. His journey from Yugoslavia to becoming a celebrated jazz pianist in San Francisco illustrates the transformative power of music and personal resilience.
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