MINDAUGAS STUMBRAS QUINTET
MINDAUGAS STUMBRAS QUINTET
Mindaugas Stumbras – g
Gediminas Strupinskas – p
Mindaugas Vadoklis – tp
Denis Murašov – db
Tuomas J.Rasänen – perc
Formed just a few years ago, this Quintet performs original music written by the leader. The compositions from Stumbras’ album Inspirations, released together with five well-known Lithuanian jazz musicians a year ago, constitute the basis of the program for Birštonas Jazz.
The album documented the guitarist’s creative period of his travels and appearances on various jazz scenes with inspiring musicians from around the world. Therefore, the palette of music reflects various artistic experiences, influences and inclinations. The program will also feature the latest compositions by Stumbras.
Mindaugas Stumbras is one of the most promising young Lithuanian jazz musicians. Born into a family of musicians, he stepped onto musical path early on – first studied the piano, later the classical guitar, admired rock and heavy metal.
The guitarist became interested in jazz when he entered the Vilnius Conservatoire. Here he acquired the basics of jazz music. At the time, he appeared in music projects of various trends.
Mindaugas’ passion for jazz deepened while studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, where he was able to play with the most advanced young jazz performers now conquering the European jazz scene.
The guitarist has formed several of his own jazz ensembles. He became a member of Brave Noises (formed in 2015), one of the most prominent new generation jazz groups in Lithuania, with which he won the Vilnius Jazz Young Power competition in the same year. In 2016, Mindaugas claimed the first prize in the Lithuanian guitar competition Gitarų šėlsmas (Guitar Frenzy).
2018 saw a release of Stumbras’ debut album Our Kingdom, which was well received by both the audience and critics. For several years before the pandemic, the guitarist toured extensively in Europe, playing in jazz clubs and festivals. Last year, he committed his travel experiences to the album Inspirations, which he recorded with Dmitrij Golovanov, Mindaugas Vadoklis, Karolis Šarkus, Denis Murašov and Domantas Razmus. “This album is about what inspires me to live and compose, to dream about the future,” the composer said.
The compositions Stumbras recorded in 2018, 2020 and 2021 were included in the collection “Jazz from Lithuania” published by the Lithuanian Jazz Federation. The guitarist combines intensive artistic career with work in the Kaunas Big Band and pedagogical engagements.
Gediminas Strupinskas recently joined M. Stumbras’ Quintet. The keyboardist graduated from the Academy of Music of Vytautas Magnus University last year and is currently a member of the Kaunas Big Band.
The versatile performer also actively collaborates with other collectives, performing not only jazz, but also pop music and other genres. With various performers he has participated in all major jazz festivals in Lithuania.
Mindaugas Vadoklis is one of the most talented and versatile trumpeters on Lithuanian improvised music scene. He takes part in music and interdisciplinary art projects.
Mindaugas studied jazz at Klaipėda University and the LAMT. He regularly takes part in international jazz events, is the founder and director of the public institution Menų Cechas.
Since 2007, Mindaugas has worked with Lithuanian Army Volunteer Forces Big Band. He also plays in various Lithuanian jazz ensembles including Lithuanian Art Orchestra, Lithuanian Jazz Ensemble, Klaipėda Jazz Orchestra and Baltic Salsa Orchestra as well as diverse chamber ensembles.
He has collaborated not only with the most prominent Lithuanian jazz personalities, but also well-known foreign improvisers such as Kenny Wollesen, Jonathan Haffner, Retto Zuchner, Robin Aristoren, Fulvio Buccafusco, Fabrizio Brusca, Goran Krmac and Bilal Karaman among many others. The trumpeter has shared the stage with Jojo Mayer, Sheila Raye Charles and Victor Mendoza.
With various formations Vadoklis performed in Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia, the Ukraine and Baltic States.
Denis Murašov, a graduate of the University of Applied Sciences, is a double bass and bass guitar virtuoso. The colleagues commend him for his wide musical horizons. The bassist feels at ease in variety of jazz styles – from swing standards and Gypsy to original contemporary music.
He collaborates with the leading younger generation jazzmen Remigijus Rančys, Leonardas Pilkauskas, Andrej Polevikov, Paulius Volkovas, Gediminas Augustaitis and Dominykas Vyšniauskas to name but a few, partakes in different projects including The Swing Cats, The Ditties and Home Jazz Band.
He combines his performing career with pedagogical work.
Tuomas J. Räsänen is a sought-after drummer, a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. He won first prizes in both Tamsta Drum Day and Baltic Drummers League competitions. In 2020, his group JUZT won the Vilnius Jazz Young Power competition, where he was also recognized as the best instrumentalist.
In addition to JUZT, the drummer plays in Avis Rara and KZK on TV. With various formations he has participated in jazz festivals in Kaunas, Klaipėda, Elektrėnai, Ariogala, RUMSHK’20 in Šiauliai, Loftas Fest, Saulkrasti Jazz (Latvia) and Beantown Jazz (USA).
