European-based singer Lili Maljic dives deep into the Great American Songbook on her debut album The Nearness Of You. With every song a classic, The Nearness Of You benefits from the skills of trumpet master Jim Rotondi, who sadly passed away in 2024. Before he died Jim brought his vast experience as a producer, arranger and musician to this album. In her liner notes, Lili praises Rotondi as her mentor and inspiration and, the album title is even subtitled In Loving Memory Of Jim Rotondi.

The album kicks off with what is commonly referred to as one of the true American music classics, “The Shadow Of Your Smile” written by composer Johnny Mandel in 1965. Hard to top this song for sure, yet Lili gives it a strong showing before delivering fresh remakes of all-time classics from the pens of Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington and many others. The connection here is the brilliant horn arrangements and trumpet mastery of Rotondi.

A number of musicians take part on The Nearness Of You, including pianist Oliver Ken and the rhythm section of Milos Colovic (bass) and Mario Gonzi (drums). It’s easy to sense the musical camaraderie between Lili, Jim Rotondi and the other players. The Nearness Of You is an American classic songwriter celebration as most of the composers and song titles are long revered favorites befitting their song classic status.

The Nearness Of You is a noteworthy debut album from Ms. Maljic. While she comes from Austria by way of her home turf in Serbia, she delivers these timeless songs with much style and finesse. Following her fabulous debut album released in 2025, music fans will no doubt be keeping an eye of Lili’s career, while eagerly anticipating her next musical moves.

RMR presents an interview with Lili Maljic

RMR: Tell us about recording The Nearness Of You with Jim Rotondi. How did you meet Jim and how key was he in the making of the album and did he get to play on all the tracks? Also was Jim involved in the selection of songs and the musicians and long did the album take to record?

Lili Maljic: I met Jim during my studies in Vienna, where I was very fortunate to cross paths with him. He was recording a live album with drummer Joris Dudli at Jazzland, and Joris invited me up to sing a song. That was the first time I met Jim. Later, at the Vienna Jazz Festival, we performed together again, and that’s when I asked if he would like to play on my debut album. He immediately said yes. I had always admired his sound and musicality, and respected him tremendously, not just as a musician but as a human being and when the idea for the album came about, I knew I wanted him to be part of it.

Jim played a really central role—not only as a trumpeter on the recording, but also as an arranger for three of the tracks. He didn’t play on every single song, but the ones he did are really special and add another layer of depth to the record. The selection of songs was mostly mine, but I really valued Jim’s perspective and experience, so we worked closely on shaping the repertoire. The recording itself was done very efficiently—we recorded the whole album in just one day! That intensity brought a lot of energy and spontaneity to the music.

RMR: How did you meet with Pacific Coast Jazz and what do you like best about working with the label?

Lili Maljic: I first connected with Pacific Coast Jazz through mutual contacts in the jazz community. They immediately understood what I wanted to achieve with the album and were very supportive of my vision. What I love most is that they allow me to stay authentic to my sound and artistry, while at the same time helping me navigate the process of releasing music internationally. It feels like a partnership built on trust, which is so important for an artist, especially when putting out a debut album.

RMR: What was it like growing up in Serbia and when did you move to Austria? Can you compare the two countries as far as music making goes? Have you been to the U.S. yet, considering many of the songs on your album are highlights of the Great American songbook? What is the current music scene in Austria and Serbia like?

Lili Maljic: Growing up in Serbia gave me a very rich musical foundation. There’s a strong tradition of folk music there, and rhythm is such an integral part of the culture—you grow up surrounded by it. I come from a very musical family—my father first taught me piano, and my grandfather was a saxophonist who really sparked my love for jazz. I started classical piano at the age of seven and studied at the music school Milenko Živković in the class of Dragica Stanojević, winning several first prizes at international competitions. Later I continued my piano studies in Belgrade with Ana Maria Pradal and then I moved to Vienna to study jazz singing, which opened a completely new chapter for me. And now I’m beginning my Master’s studies in Graz, studying jazz singing with Dena DeRose, which feels like a beautiful continuation of that journey.

I moved to Austria when I was still quite young, and Austria offered me a more formal education in music, especially jazz. Vienna in particular has a very vibrant jazz scene, with musicians from all over the world coming together. I haven’t yet had the chance to visit the U.S., but of course it’s a dream of mine, especially since so much of the music I love originates there. As for the scenes—Austria has a very established jazz community, while Serbia has a smaller but very passionate and creative scene. Both shaped me in different ways, and I carry those influences with me into everything I do.

RMR: You shared the arrangements with Jim Rotondi. Some tracks were arranged by you and some by Jim. What is involved in making the song arrangements? What is the difference between producing and arranging?

Lili Maljic: Arranging is really about shaping the song—deciding on the feel, the tempo, the harmonic colors, and how the instruments interact. For me, arranging is a very creative process, because it allows you to take a classic song and make it feel personal and new. Producing, on the other hand, is about overseeing the whole project: choosing the repertoire, the musicians, the recording approach, and making sure everything comes together in a cohesive way. Jim’s arrangements added a lot of sophistication and energy, while my arrangements reflected my personal interpretation of the Great American Songbook. I think that balance gave the album its character.

RMR: What music were you most influenced by growing up and do you have favorite singers and songwriters and what are a few of your favorite albums. Can you name a few?

Lili Maljic: As a child, I listened to everything from Serbian folk to pop, but when I discovered jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, it felt like finding my home. They remain my greatest influences, along with Carmen McRae and Shirley Horn. I also deeply admire instrumentalists like Bill Evans and Miles Davis, who shaped my sense of phrasing and space.

Some favorite albums would have to be Shirley Horn - Here’s To Life, Sarah Vaughan’s Live At Mister Kelly’s, and Roy Hargrove - Earfood. These records are timeless and continue to inspire me every time I listen.

RMR: I know The Nearness Of You was just released. Do you have new ideas on what you would like to do next musically? I know you are also a songwriter. Is it challenging to write songs as good as these classics? What is your approach as a songwriter?

Lili Maljic: Yes, I’m already thinking about the next steps! While this debut album is very much dedicated to the Great American Songbook, I also write my own music, and I’d like to bring more of that into my future projects. Of course, writing songs that can stand next to the classics is a huge challenge, but I don’t see it as a competition. I think the key is honesty—writing from personal experience and emotion. My approach is to start with a mood or a story I want to tell, and then let the music grow out of that. I hope to create songs that feel authentic and connect with listeners in their own way.

RMR: What do you have planned for 2025 and into 2026 as far as writing, recording and performing live shows?

Lili Maljic: 2025 is an exciting year for me. With the release of The Nearness Of You, I’ll be performing throughout Europe with my quintet and sharing this music live. At the same time, I’m working on new original material that I’d like to record in the near future. My goal is to blend the tradition of jazz standards with my own songwriting, creating a personal sound that reflects both my roots and my future direction. Looking into 2026, I see more touring, hopefully including the U.S., and definitely another album. It’s a busy time, but I’m grateful to be able to share music with more people.