Zvonimir Tot (z-VON-e-mere TOTE) is a Chicago-based jazz guitarist, composer, and arranger with a style deeply rooted in the jazz tradition but flavored by his European origin. He holds way too many university degrees. Tot has performed in The United States, The Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, The Czech Republic, Romania, and Croatia. He has performed and/or recorded with many world-renowned musicians, including:

-Saxophonists Scott Hamilton, Billy Harper and Peter King
-Violinist Johnny Frigo
-Drummers Ernie Adams and Paul Wertico
-Bassists Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, John Clayton and Hein Van de Geyn
-Trumpeter Orbert Davis
-Pianists Larry Novak and Larry Vuckovich
-Guitarists Philip Catherine, Henry Johnson and Paulinho Garcia
-Vocalists Jackie Allen, Carmen Lundy and Deborah Carter
- Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

Zvonimir Tot is the Assistant Director of Jazz Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago and currently teaches jazz guitar, harmony, ear training and ensembles. He is the founder and owner of Groove Art Records, as well as full member of ASCAP, GRAMMY, International Association for Jazz Education, and American Composers Forum. As a bandleader, Tot has recorded three CDs on Groove Art Records: “Unspoken Desire” (2007), “Blue Quest” (2007), and “Travels and Dreams” (2004), as well as several CDs as a sideman for various labels. Since 2005, Zvonimir Tot’s biography has been included in the WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA , published by Marquis Publishing. He is an endorsing artist for Godin guitars and Acoustic Image amplifiers.

ENDORSEMENT LINKS:
Godin Guitars
Acoustic Image Amplifiers


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
ASCAP
GRAMMY-The Recording Academy (Full voting member)
International Association for Jazz Education
American Composers Forum
Pi Kappa Lambda


SHORT QUOTES:

Zvonimir Tot is the hot new voice in the world of jazz guitar virtuosos.
Judy Roberts, Chicago Jazz Magazine

...Blue Quest is always grooving, from first note to last. (...) All in all, this is a spectacular disc...
Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine

...Tot throws out some greasy guitar licks that are simply fantastic.
Dan Bilawsky, Jazz Improv Magazine

His “Lady Agatha,” (…) has a deliberate delicacy, a ballad that unfolds at a measured pace, with Tot's playing glowing with a beautifully ethereal quality.
Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

(Z.T.) ...is an extrovert soloist who plays from the heart. He improvises with a typical Balkan singing quality, an intense feeling for the blues, rich imagination, and unbelievably fast fingers.
Jeroen de Valk, Dutch jazz critic, Het Parool, Amsterdam

...Travels and Dreams is a remarkable disc and Zvonimir Tot is someone deserving far greater recognition.
Rich Friedman, All About Jazz

Zvonimir Tot's rapid fire guitar sets the pace in this fine ensemble. His ballad style also highlights this recording with soulful elegance. (...) 4 stars.
John Gilbert, ejazznews.com

His virtuoso guitar technique (...) has much to offer to the adventurous and serious jazz lover.
Prof. Richard Wang, Jazz educator and publicist, Former President, Jazz Institute of Chicago

His sound is inspired by all, from Kenny Burrell to Pat Metheny but yet distinctly his own.
Marshall Vente, Jazz Institute of Chicago

Tot is an inspirational player of the guitar; (...) his largamente style feels like one big stretch.
Ferdinand Maylin, JazzNow  

Zvonimir Tot is available as:
 
Jazz guitarist: swing, bebop, latin, contemporary jazz; live and studio projects

Bandleader: Various formations, duo-quintet (with or without vocals), original music and jazz standards. Please contact me for details.
 
Composer/arranger: Do you need an original jazz or concert music composition/arrangement, written for any combination of instruments/voices? The final product includes ready-to-perform printed score and parts, as well as an optional synthesizer demo. Check the arrangement of "Body and Soul" for 8 singers, string orchestra and rhythm section.

Clinician: Available for clinics and seminars on improvisation (all instruments), jazz guitar, arranging, theory/harmony (jazz and classical), ear training (jazz and classical), and jazz combo.
 
Private Instructor: Jazz guitar, improvisation (all instruments), arranging, theory/harmony (jazz and classical), ear training (jazz and classical). If you need college credits, you can study with me at College of DuPage. Please contact me at zt(at)zt-music.com for availability and rates.