Get to know saxophone & clarinet player and Yamaha Artist Ismar Poric

Statement about your relation with Yamaha or your instrument:

Even though I’ve been working as a professional musician for around 15 years, my connection with Yamaha started much earlier. Yamaha has followed me from the very beginning of my musical path — through music high school, the Music Academy, and all the way into my professional career. What matters most to me is that I genuinely trust these instruments. I feel completely comfortable when I play them. Over the years, I’ve performed everywhere — from small club stages and recording studios to the biggest concert arenas in the Balkans — and Yamaha has always matched my needs perfectly. I’ve tried instruments from other brands as well, but nothing ever felt as natural or as reliable as Yamaha. The sound, the response, and the stability simply fit the way I play. That reliability and consistency are the main reasons I never switched to another brand. In a way, Yamaha shaped my playing, and today it feels less like a brand and more like a part of my musical identity.

How does your instrument help you in your daily life as an artist?

My daily life as a musician is fast, dynamic, and often unpredictable — constant traveling, tight schedules, late-night concerts, studio sessions, and quick soundchecks. In all of that, having an instrument I can fully rely on is essential. My Yamaha gives me a stable and comfortable feeling, no matter where I’m playing. It responds naturally, and that makes it easy for me to express myself and stay focused on the music.

How would you characterise your instrument?

What stands out most to me is the tone. With my Yamaha, it’s very easy for me to shape the sound the way I need it — whether I’m playing pop, rock, ballads, or traditional Balkan music. The instrument gives me the flexibility to adapt my tone to any style without forcing me to change my natural way of playing. It also reacts very well in different environments. Whether I’m in a closed space, an outdoor stage, or a room with difficult acoustics, the instrument responds consistently, which makes it easier for me to adjust and feel comfortable. That flexibility and stability are the qualities I appreciate the most.

Who was your most influential teacher and is there any advice which you still follow?

I’ve learned from many people throughout my musical life. My teachers in music high school and at the Music Academy gave me the foundation I still rely on. A big influence also came from the older musicians I played with — the ones I “grew up with” on stage. Their experience, attitude, and sound shaped me just as much as formal education. I also had the chance to perform with some of the biggest names in our region, and every time I was on stage with them, I made sure to listen carefully and absorb everything — their phrasing, their approach, their energy. All those moments stayed with me and became part of how I play today. There were many pieces of advice along the way, but one idea stayed with me the most: People always feel honesty in music. Whether it’s fellow musicians or the audience, you can’t fake sincerity or dedication. If you play with real intention and heart, it will always reach the listener. That is the principle I follow every time I pick up my instrument.

Advice for a young musician:

My advice to young musicians is to stay patient and honest with themselves. Don’t rush the process — give yourself time to build your sound, your discipline, and your identity. Listen to others, learn from everyone around you, and stay open to different styles and ideas. And most importantly: Always play with sincerity. People can feel when something is real. If you put your heart into your playing, the audience will always connect with you — no matter the genre, the stage, or the size of the crowd.