MOON BRIDGE. MĖNULIO TILTAS

Sunday, March 9, 2 p.m.
IN THE FARMS OF THE ŽUTTRAKIS MANOR

MOON BRIDGE
MĆNULÍS TILSTAS

Performers
KÄSTUTIS VAIGINIS (Lithuania), saxophones
JOONAS HAAVISTO (Finland), piano

Program
Jazz compositions by Kęstutis Vaiginis and Joonas Haavistas.

The audience of Užutrakis is waiting for an exceptional performance of two jazz greats who created impressive international careers with their bands! So this concert is a rare opportunity to hear jazz music of the highest quality and rare beauty!

K. Vaiginis has collaborated with artists such as David Kikoski, Jonathan Blake, Alex Sipiagin and Mike Stern, and has appeared at the North Sea Jazz Festival. A Steinway artist, Mr. Haavisto has toured the world with his trio, performing at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York and the Tokyo Jazz Festival in Japan.

In Japan's jazz magazine Jaz.In 2024 . in March, the unique duet of Kęstutis Vaiginis and Joon Haavis, who have been playing music together since 2006, was evaluated briefly but extremely seriously: "These two talented performers can be considered Wayne Shorter's heirs".

K. The compositions of Vaiginis and J. Haavist, immortalized on the vinyl record "Moon Bridge" (publishing company "Eight Islands Records", 2024, Japan). It's a top 10 record for 2024 jazz records, honoring alongside jazz greats like Charles Lloyd, Chick Corea, Bela Fleck, and more. albums. Presenting the albums and wishing everyone to listen to them, LRT radio host Laima Slepkovaitė wrote: "I didn't place Lithuanian saxophonist Kęstutis Vaiginis and Finnish pianist Joon Haavis's Moon Bridge among the best records of this year, but Jazzwise did." I cannot argue with the critics of the international British jazz magazine and I wholeheartedly agree that the poetic conversation between two musicians who have been in contact for many years should be included among the most memorable jazz opus of this year". among jazz magazines, 2024 in June reads: "This unique, world-renowned duo presents the latest original compositions, full of serenity and virtuosic improvisations, as well as Nordic harmony and enchanting melodies. (...) Their debut album "Moon Bridge" was released in spring 2024 in Japan on Eight Islands Records. The album "Moon Bridge" features compositions by both musicians and two compositions arranged by Wayne Shorter and Billy Strayhorn. The duo's sound ranges from sacred spaces to wild cascades. Crystal clear melodies combined with Baltic melancholy create the basis for the dialogue of this dynamic duo. The album received very positive reviews, including from major jazz publications in the UK and Japan, Jazzwise and Jazz.In. A wonderful album, full of great compositions and wonderful musicianship."

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/BgykMtKn-DI?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/mdp6kLn1UIA?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/4Ke7uw8oz2E?si=UA3dRF6zteiMBOFl

Kęstutis Vaiginis is one of the most productive jazz performers in Lithuania , laureate of the Europamusicale music prize of the European Cultural Foundation (2013), laureate of many national and international competitions, and Birštonas Jazz Festival Grand Prize Winner (2010).

Aspiring saxophonist who plays with top-class US jazz musicians such as Alex Sipiagin, Jonathan Blake, Dave Kikoski, Boris Kozlov, Donald Edwards, David Berkman and others. , is the inspiration and leader of many international projects. With various collectives as a band leader and guest artist, he appeared at Nord Sea Jazz, Rotterdam, London, Ottawa, Cape Town, Tokyo, London, Istanbul, Hong Kong and other prestigious jazz festivals, toured Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.

Every year he organizes concert tours around Lithuania with invited guests from the USA and the most famous European jazz musicians. He collaborates with groups of various genres, from chamber symphony orchestra to big band, playing solo programs.

Kęstučius Vaiginis was awarded the "Europamusicale" prize of the European Cultural Foundation, awarded once a year to one European musician. The performer became the first laureate of the Europamusicale music prize of the European Cultural Foundation (2013). When presenting this prize, German President Joachim Gauck said that with his music, this performer "gives new impulses to jazz in Lithuania and throughout Europe", he called the saxophonist and composer an ideal example of how one can contribute to the creation and development of jazz music.

Past and present stage partners of this musician include Barbara Dennerlein, Hernan Romero, Aleks Sipiagin, Boris Kozlov, David Kikoski, Jonathan Blakas, Donald Edward, JD Walter, Ed Howard, Adam Cruz, Randal Corsen, Joon Haavisto, David Allan, Denis Paškevičius, the most famous musicians of Indonesia, Korea, Italy and Lithuania.

The artist's discography includes seven original albums, his compositions are also included in several collections of Lithuanian music. "His vision is subtle and provocative, arising from respect for tradition, but always looking forward" - this is how the famous American saxophonist Steve Wilson described Kęstutis' album "Unexpected Choices", recorded with renowned New York musicians.

Joonas Haavisto became the winner of the international jazz pianist competition "Jazz Improvisation" organized by the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater in 2006, later won laurels at "Young Nordic Jazz Comets"
(2007) and "Jazz Hoeilaart". (2010) in competitions, although he started playing the piano seriously only at the age of 16 - before that he studied double bass.

Performer completed his jazz studies in the USA, played music there with local jazz masters and soon gained recognition both in his country and abroad. He played solo with the best Finnish chamber orchestras and big bands, toured Europe with various jazz groups, toured the USA, Canada and Japan.

The pianist has released three albums with his trio, which received excellent reviews in Finland and abroad. J. Haavisto has also formed a quintet, plays in Inga Söder's band, Martti Vesala's Soundpost Quintet, Mikko Pellinen's Mini Big Band. Among his partners are famous jazz musicians Jerry Bergonzi, Jonathan Kreisberg, Ron Mclure, Bill Watrous, Bertil Strandberg, John Fedchock, Tivon Pennicott, Teemu Viinikainen, Jukka Perko, Verneri Pohjola, Jukkis Uotila.

J. Haavisto is a talented composer who has been creating music since the beginning of his career as a pianist. These are compositions for his groups - from a trio to a quintet, as well as works for chamber orchestras, big bands, solo piano, pop artists and films. He composed and performed music on the piano for the film "The Happiest Day of the Life of Olė Makis", which won the "Un Certain Regard" prize at the Cannes Film Festival (2016).

Buying 10 and more tickets you can contact: vipklientai@bilietai.lt

Doors open: ~13:30
Duration of the event: ~1:30
Intermissions: none
Language of the event: Lithuanian
Children are admitted for free: up to and including the age of 7 (provide proof of age at the venue)
Age censorship: none
Discounts:
- for students and persons with disabilities for 1 ticket (present a document proving the discount during control);
- for students, seniors for 1 ticket (present a document proving the discount during the inspection).

On the AllEvents portal you can always Buy tickets to an event Concerts MOON BRIDGE. MĖNULIO TILTAS, Trakai, Užutrakio dvaro sodybos rūmai March 09

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