Vladimir Nikolov
Vladimir Nikolov is a composer whose works cover a wide range of musical languages and genres, using backgrounds in classical music and jazz as point of departure. He has been ‘behind the scenes’ of worldwide orchestral projects as arranger for some time now, while also frequently performing as composer and conductor with renowned soloists and ensembles.
As arranger, Vladimir worked with ensembles such as the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Brussels Philharmonic, Heritage Orchestra, BBC Radio Orchestra. Among the collaborative artists, he worked with: John Clayton, Randy Brecker, Vince Mendoza, Chaka Khan, Jacob Collier, to name but a few. From 2008 he’s a steady arranger for the Metropole Orchestra, world’s leading jazz and pop orchestra.
As composer, producer and band leader he published three studio albums with the ensemble Nikolov−Ivanović Undectet. In the words of Jazz Times, this is “one of the most creative large ensembles in Europe”. The ensemble won a prize at the Made in New York Jazz Competition in 2019.
As conductor, Vladimir has had a long collaboration with the Serbian Big Band RTS. From 2024 he has a steady collaboration with the Macedonian National Jazz Orchestra and the Nordkraft Big Band in Denmark, performing with top soloists such as Donny McCaslin, Maria Mendes and Kurt Rosenwinkel.
He orchestrated music for several film projects, among which 2012 Oscar winner “The Artist”. He also orchestrated Jacob Collier’s remake of “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie that brought him a Grammy for Best Arrangement in 2020. His original Big Band compositions and arrangements have won numerous international prizes, among which 4 1st prizes for original works and 5 1st prizes for arrangements.
From 2018. Vladimir is head of the jazz department, and teaches Jazz Harmony, Jazz Arranging and Big Band at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.