Interview: Vlad Garic of VLAD GARIC: THE DALMATIAN TENOR at The Secret Theater
Lead singer for the world famous acapella group Klapa Cambi, Vlad Garic is about to make his American (and New York City) debut on Friday night March 15th in Queens at The Secret Theater. BWW caught up with Vlad during his rehearsal and got him to take a break from his preparations to chat with us. Vlad possesses one of the most naturally beautiful tenor voices in the world and his range is seemingly endless. One moment he is delivering stunning 10-part harmony klapa, the next moment he is tossing out a traditional Neapolitan song, next its a Verdi aria, finally cranking out some smoking hot Pearl Jam, that would make Eddy Vedder proud.
Welcome to New York! Is this your first time here?
Yes. This is my first time here and I am truly enjoying the vibe and the energy of this tremendous city. Frankly, I feel like I am at home. Music, people, food, diversity, so much to see and experience...
Have you had a chance to check out any of the sights?
Well, everything is just amazing but I gotta say that visiting 9/11 memorial was profoundly touching and it made me reflect on life and the spirit of this city. Just walking around is the best thing to do in this city. I tasted some amazing food and my favorite is Delmonico's restaurant. Last night we went to Terra Blues and I've experienced old school great blues. Looking forward hearing some jazz tonight, bit of opera, some of the Japanese drumming and Knicks-Lakers game.
You sing multiple styles of music, do you consider yourself first and foremost one style or another?
It's bit difficult to define my style, since my career took me from classical piano, rock blues guitar, then Klapa (a cappella) singing, onto professional classical singing. Each part of my musical career is still present in my life.
Will you be performing songs from all over your "lives"?
"An evening with the Dalmatian Tenor" concept as my performance is to be seen as a musical journey through Italian canzonas, Spanish zarzuela, traditional Dalmatian a cappella singing , blues rock and American songbook.
Is it harder singing solo or harmony?
Solo definitely. It requires full focus and concentration.
Will you be performing with an accompanist or a band?
I will perform with my longtime collaborator pianist Darko Aljinovic File, and my friends from Croatia that live in New York - Klapa Astoria
Who are your favorite artists, in each of the genres which you sing?
Canzona- Placido Domingo, Mario Lanza, Luciano Pavarotti and Klapa tenors Vinko Coce and Spiro Juric. Klapa - Klapa Cambi, Vokalisti Salone,
Rock/Blues/ American songbook - Pearl jam/ Eddie Vedder, Sting, U2, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Nina Simone, Chet Baker, Jeff Buckley
Clearly you have eclectic tastes - tell us what is on your ipod right now.
Recently I've been digging Oren Lavie's "Bedroom Crimes".
BROADWAYWORLD.COM would like to thank Vlad Garic for taking time out to sit and chat with us and we wish him good luck on his maiden voyage here in New York! In Bocca al Lupo!
March 15, 16 and 17, 2019. Showtimes are 8:30 PM, doors open 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25 advance/$30 door.
Secret Theatre
44-02 23rd St
Long Island City, NY 11101
-Peter Danish, Classical Editor
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