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Zoran Schmitz is a Croatian Gypsy jazz and straight ahead jazz guitarist, bandleader, composer, and arranger who follows the footsteps of the greats whilst adding a bit of his own sound from his Balkan heritage. He started playing guitar at the age of 7 in his hometown Varaždin (Croatia), learning from his father, and already from a very young age he had the chance to develop his skills sharing the stage with experienced musicians. His passion and determination led him to practise obsessively all day, every day. Soon enough, all his hard work bore fruit and he got a chance to get up on stage at the jazz club. Zoran learned from musicians such as Christian Pabst, Hendrik, Mueller, Marko Chruntchez, Timo Lassy, Miha Koren, Riccardo Chiarion, Matteo Alfonso, Michael Walker, Phil Robson, Romain Pilon and others. In 2012, he moved to Pula (Croatia) to get his bachelor degree for Musical pedagogy at the “Musical Academy of Pula”. There, he discovered a local jazz club with live music every Friday: after the first visit, it became clear to him that that’s what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He decided that he would become part of the local jazz scene, no matter what it took. His passion and determination led him to practise obsessively all day, every day. Soon enough, all his hard work bore fruit and he got a chance to get up on stage at the jazz club. "All the musicians had already left the stage. He started playing his guitar and before he knew it, he suddenly could hear a piano, a double bass, and soon after the drums joined. In a moment, the whole band came back on stage to play. It was an amazing experience which would change his life forever. At the end of the night, he heard the words that changed his life forever: "You are quite good. Come back next Friday, you are playing a gig with us." Since then, Zoran is playing show after show with the most prominent artists in the scene. He is currently a member of the Gypsy jazz bands Gadjo Manouche, Gitane Esprit and he is the founder and leader of the Zoran Schmitz Trio, with whom he published his debut album "Following Django" in January 2024. With his music, driven by his own life story, Zoran wants to inspire his audience to pursue their dreams and chase the life they really want. Certifications BACC. Degree in Musical Pedagogy, 2012, Music Academy of Pula (Croatia) BACC. Degree in Jazz Guitar, 2023, Kunstuniversität Graz MASTERCLASSES with Christian Pabst, Renato Chicco, Hendrik Mueller, Marko Chruntchez, Timo Lassy, Miha Koren, Riccardo Chiarion, Matteo Alfonso, Michael Walker, Phil Robson, Romain Pilon and others.

I have worked in a private schoole in Croatia as electric and acoustic guitar, and electric bass teacher for 4 years and I had some private students, and I was teacher on Gypsy jazz guitar masterclass which was part of Mostar Gypsy Jazz festival.

I finished bachelor program for Musical Pedagogy on Musical Academy of Pula and bachelor program for Jazz Guitar on KUG, been part of more than 10 masterclasses for jazz guitar. At the moment I am doing my Masters on Jazz Guitar on KUG.