BALTIC JAZZ TRIO
BALTIC JAZZ TRIO
(Lithuania – Estonia – Latvia)
Dainius Pulauskas – keyb
Toivo Unt – db
Maris Briezkalns – dr
This Trio involving outstanding Lithuanian, Estonian and Latvian jazz musicians made its debut in Baltic countries culture week in Paris in 2008 and soon after released its debut album Baltic Saga.
Since then, the Trio gave numerous concerts in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, appeared in Vilnius Jazz, Jazzkaar (Tallinn), Mustjala (Saaremaa Island) and Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) festivals, and The Hague (the Netherlands).
This year the Trio introduces its second album Centenary, which in addition to Dainius Pulauskas’ compositions features collaborative arrangements of works by renowned Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian composers Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Arvo Pärt, Pēteris Vasks and Raimonds Pauls.
On occasion of the centenary of Baltic countries the Baltic Jazz Trio presents the album not only in Birštonas Jazz and Baltic countries, but also Ottawa Jazz Festival (Canada), Switzerland and other countries.
In Trio’s music one easily detects Baltic flavour, resourceful application of folklore elements and rhythm characteristic of these regions. At the same time, the musicians stay in touch with acoustic jazz trio standards.
Dainius Pulauskas is one of the most productive and active Lithuanian jazz masters, superlative pianist, keyboardist, exceptional leader and distinct composer. It is for his original compositions his collectives garnered recognition. He excels in combining acoustic and electronic timbres, striking colour palette and Nordic reserved and romantic improvisation.
His music can be heard on sixteen personal CDs, two personal DVDs and nine jazz collections.
Pulauskas debuted on jazz scene in 1990 with Skirmantas Sasnauskas Jazz Quartet with which he garnered Grand Prix at the Birštonas Jazz 1992.
Birštonas Jazz 1996 hosted the debut of his first group, Dainius Pulauskas Quintet, which grew into Sextet – one of the leading and most widely internationally recognised Lithuanian jazz collectives. In 2001, the Sextet received Gold Disc awarded to the best musician of the year by the Lithuanian Musicians’ Union. In 2004, the Lithuanian Institute presented the ensemble with LT tapatybė (LT Identity) award for promulgation of Lithuanian jazz.
Since 2004, the Dainius Pulauskas Group (DPG) has become an umbrella-title for various formations led by the notable figure of Lithuanian jazz. Various formations of DPG have appeared in more than 120 jazz festivals in 30 countries, four continents. DPG was the first Lithuanian group to enter the stages of Malaysia, Indonesia, South African Republic, Egypt and Ethiopia. The group was applauded in prestigious Ottawa, London and Tokyo jazz festivals.
The Best of 20 Years, the group’s ninth album, documents the group’s path, presents the group’s best compositions of all times.
Today, Pulauskas is at ease with Big Bands and orchestras, as well as large-scale jazz compositions. Lithuanian choirs perform his compositions and arrangements in Lithuanian Song Festivals. He also writes music for theatre, takes part in TV projects with the LRT group for which he also arranges music.
In addition to jazz exponents, he collaborates with folk and academic music performers: recorded CDs with Sutaras folk music group, Čiurlionis Quartet and quite a few with singer Veronika Povilionienė.
In international projects Pulauskas teamed up with musicians from the USA, France, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Italy, Finland, Germany, Russia, etc.
The keyboardist has appeared in international jazz piano festivals in Liepaja and Prague, performed at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic. He has earned a number of awards: Bravo (1999) for the best Lithuanian jazz musician; Grand Prix for the best arrangement of Yesterday by Lennon and McCartney at the International Competition Yesterday Pärnu’99 (Estonia); Grand Prix at the Birštonas Jazz (2000), Vilnius Jazz award for contributions to Lithuanian jazz (2010); was twice nominated for the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Prize.
Toivo Unt is one of Estonia’s best double bassists. A musician of wide interests he organises Nomme Jazz international festival, serves as a jury member in several international competitions, teaches and is a member of the Estonian National Opera and Ballet Theatre symphony orchestra.
The double bassist sided many acclaimed jazzmen in various festivals around the world, and collaborated in more than 30 CDs.
Maris Briezkalns is one of the foremost figures in Latvian jazz. He is the artistic director of Rigas Ritmi Festival and the jazz artists contest Sony Jazz Stage. He is also the Latvian Radio jazz producer and director of Recording Studios department.
The drummer collaborated with many a jazz celebrity including Grover Washington, Ted Curson and Frank Foster. He performed at Blue Note and Dizzy’s in NYC, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, at JFK Performing Art Center in Washington DC, Venice Jazz Festival and many other prestigious jazz scenes, recorded myriads of CDs.
“Maris Briezkalns proved that Latvian jazz is more than just alive and well – it is the embodiment of a creative energy that characterizes the human spirit”, one reads about him in Half Note Records.
