The most recent record release of A.MA Edizioni by Antonio Martino from Bari is signed by the Serbian composer and vocalist-saxophonist Sanja Markovich.

The seven-track album, titled "Ascension", is produced on vinyl and digital, and is witnessing positive comments from foreign critics. A record of "absolute joy" (Irman Mirza, Blue in Green Radio) in which "the power of the voice, deep and exciting" (Tim Dickenson, JazzWise) is appreciated for "a vision, realized through music, which embodies an extensive story-telling and is a representation of artist's life and humanity full of images" (Greg Osby, musician) whose "artistic brand goes beyond the borders of her country" (Marcin Pulawski, LMF Poland). The latter associates her to distant Cassandra Wilson while, of the excellent large band that accompanies her, elevates the contribution of saxophonist Max Kochetov. And indeed one cannot but agree with him since it is a type of European and international music in which it seems difficult to trace ethnic influences except for the Balkan DNA that emerges here and there; in short, a jazz citizen of the world in all respects, and also a sign of how the East increasingly extracts from its musicians of value and charisma such as Markovich.

The LP which marks its record debut provides the musician with a portrait already defined not only as a vocalist and sax-tenorist-sopranist but also as an author of texts and scores, arranger, and a producer. When you think of the previous engagements in Belgrade with the "Brazilian Jazz Collective", and other various concerts and festivals, performances in various theaters, you become aware of the multiplicity of experiences that made Sanja define her own desired orchestral mood.

The choice of soloists such as Ivan Radivojevic (trumpet) Rastko Obradovic (tenor saxophone) Gorana Curgus (harp) Mina Djekic (violin), just to name a few of the most visible names, constitutes another connecting piece to "Ascension" born more than half a century ago from that of Coltrane, with whom she shares a charge of spiritual energy.