marko djordjevic

elliot mason

For over ten years SVETI has been the creative outlet for one of the most impressive and innovative drummers in the world today, the Yugoslav-born Marko Djordjevic.  As the composer for SVETI, Marko writes music inspired by his Balkan roots, enriched by the “western” artists that have influenced him, from Weather Report to the Police; Zappa to Coltrane; Mahavishnu to Ani DiFranco.  The best description of SVETI’s sound came from a first-time audience member who remarked, “You guys are like a jam band, except you have great melodies and you can all play the hell out of your instruments!” 

The list of people who have lent their talents to SVETI over the years reads like a who is who of contemporary music: keyboradists Vasil Hadzimanov, Marc Ziegenhagen, and Pete Rende, bass players Johnny Sjo, Matt Garrison, Janek Gwizdala, vocalists Holly Palmer, Clara Lofaro, guitarists Bato Andonov, Wayne Krantz, Rick Peckham, sax players Jeff Ellwood, Chris Cheek, Bob Reynolds and trumpet players Rossen Zahariev and Brad Mason. The evolution of the group’s sound is documented on two Benito Records releases, the self-titled debut, SVETI, and the 2001 follow up, Live Kolach.

Today, the instrumentation of the group consists of upright bass, bass trumpet, tenor saxophone and drums, played by some of the finest musicians on the planet!

Eli DeGibri (tenor saxophone, Israel) was a member of the legendary piano player Herbie Hancock’s group for two years, including a world tour and an album and DVD available worldwide.  He is currently a mainstay with the Charles Mingus Big Band as well as a member of Al Foster’s group. Eli’s huge sound is second to none and his solos take a listener on a journey-sometimes a slow dirge cruise, sometimes a super-sonic joy ride.

Elliot Mason (valve trombone, England), a child prodigy, began playing professionally at the age of 11.  Today, at 26, simply put, he is one of the best trombone players of our time. Elliot has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra, Joe Zawinul, Airto, Slide Hampton, Natalie Cole, and many others.

Matt Pavolka (upright bass, U.S.A.) has performed with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Seamus Blake, Jeff Ballard, and Mark Turner, among others.  Matt is an upright player equally at home as an accompanist and soloist, a rare find even at the highest level of musicianship.  Curiously, Matt and Marko share the same birthday (Matt being 6 hours older).  Born on two different continents, they truly represent what SVETI is about: a coming together of peers from different corners of the world, in an effort to create something beautiful.

eli degibri

matt pavolka