Michael League & Bill Laurance (JAV)

The star duo of the group "Snarky Puppy" will shine at the "Kaunas Jazz 2025" festival

In 2024, after the great concert of the American group "Snarky Puppy" rocked the "Kaunas Jazz" stage, the 2025 festival will also be marked by musical wishes from this group musicians." puts another gift under the tree for them - it is announced that two essential members of this group will come to Kaunas in 2025.

On April 26, the leader of "Snarky Puppy", American bassist Michael League and one of the founders of the group, famous British pianist Bill Laurance (in 2024 with "Snarky Puppy") will perform at the National Drama Theater of Kaunas " He has not visited Lithuania).

The wonderful duo will present a new album released in November "Keeping Company", where they continue their impressive two-decade-long musical friendship.

Bilietai.LT distributes tickets to all "Kaunas Jazz" concerts. .

Bill Laurance & Michael League - "You" clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5WDTxBFPbc

Snarky Puppy, the band that performed at the Žalgiris Arena in the spring, is no longer needed for music lovers.

Before Founded by 20-year-old composer, producer, instrumentalist Michael League, the group is one of the brightest names in the jazz world today. music phenomenon and from the very beginning they were known as promoters of fresh musical freedom.

Each record of this group - different, and the main principle followed by the musicians is to never repeat themselves.

Back in 2014, the group won its first Grammy statuette (for the best rhythm and blues performance), and today they already have five. Because as many as four of the group's albums were recognized as the best of the year in the category of contemporary instrumental music.

The group reaped the latest victory in the "Grammy" division in 2023, when the award her album "Empire Central" was appreciated.

By the way, at the Grammy ceremony in February, Michael League can win the sixth statuette of his career - this time for the best instrumental or "a capella" arrangement.

Just before the performance in Kaunas, Michaelas League, who will celebrate his 41st birthday formed the group "Snarky Puppy" in the first year of college, is the author and producer of the group's compositions.

The musician's talent was noticed instantly - alongside the activities of Snarky Puppy, he played with many of the world's most famous musicians, performing music of various genres. The list is truly impressive - from rock legends such as Joe Walsh from the band "Eagles" to soul star Erykah Badu, singer Laura Mvula who visited "Kaunas Jazz" and countless jazz celebrities (Esperanza Spalding, Joshua Redman, etc.).

One ​​of the most talented and active jazz musicians of today has produced more than forty albums by other artists, is the leader of the group "Bokante", six years ago he was the leader of the musical group of the legendary American singer David Crosby.

Even before the appearance of " Snarky Puppy", Michael League performed in the United Kingdom, where he met pianist Bill Laurance, became friends and immediately invited him to join the band he was creating.

Jazz, electronic, academic music producer and performer Bill Laurance is well known for his work outside of Snarky Puppy.

He has recorded dozens of albums as a leader or participant in joint projects, worked with bands and orchestras, composed music for films, collaborated with Laura Mvula, Jacob Collier and other bright stars.

The musician's work reflects various topics - from science fiction to climate change and political issues.

After the first solo album "Flint", which Bill Laurance released in 2014, the British publication "The Guardian" called it "jazz maestro".

Famous US singer David Crosby, with whom Bill has collaborated for several years, in an interview in 2018 called him "one of the best pianists

In the 2020s, Michael League and Bill Laurance began making music as a duo and have already released two albums.

In early 2023, the disc "Where You Wish You Were" appeared, which received a lot of positive attention from critics, and in the fall of 2024, the latest work at Keeping Company.

Bill Laurance and Michael League - "How Does It Feel" clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNfgz-Frv6g

On stage, these musicians create a rich musical atmosphere and enjoy creative freedom, unfettered by any stereotypes.

This is open, exploratory and adventurous music, full of spontaneity, intuition, and sometimes humor.

Michael League in this duo plays not only the bass guitar, but also the Middle Eastern stringed instrument, the oud, which adds an exotic touch to the music.

"It's like our friendship photo. We're just good friends - and we're celebrating that friendship with this album. At the same time, we want to try things that we haven't explored before, for example, there are hints of soul music in the new album. By the way, our album was recorded completely live, without any tricks or overdubs," says Bill Laurance.

Bill Laurance and Michael League - track "Sant Esteve": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7MhHcR0aWE

A concert by two virtuosos is not the first gift that "Kaunas Jazz" will invite music lovers to unwrap in 2025.

As previously announced, on April 25, on the stage of the National Kaunas Drama Theater atthe famous American saxophonist James Carter's trio will appear. This jazz star will return to the "Kaunas Jazz" stage after a 21-year break.

More festival performers will be announced in the near future. All news about "Kaunas Jazz" can be found on the festival website www.kaunasjazz.lt

When buying 10 or more tickets, you can contact: vipklientai@bilietai.lt

Doors open: ~1 hour before until the start of the event
Duration of the event: ~1:30
Breaks: none
Language of the event: Lithuanian/English
Children admitted for free: no
Age limit: N-7
Discounts: Not applicable

On the AllEvents portal you can always Buy tickets to an event Concerts Michael League & Bill Laurance (JAV), Kaunas, Nacionalinis Kauno dramos teatras April 26

* The description translation is done automatically. There may be inaccuracies. Be sure to check the event description on the ticket store website when buying tickets.