Kino filmas "Skyrybų vakarėlis"

Immanuel Wilkins Quartet (USA)

Immanuel Wilkins - asax
Micah Thomas -  p
Rick Rosato - b
Kweku Sumbry - dr

Creator of deep ocean jazz epics - such an eloquent phrase was launched into the world by the prestigious music portal "Pitchfork" , a few years ago introducing the young generation saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, who is coming to the festival this year. And certainly not in vain! This musician is a luminary of the modern jazz scene, bringing a fresh approach to the genre and proving that the layers of creativity are far from exhausted.

To "Vilnius Mama Jazz" I. Wilkins arrives accompanied by his own quartet - Daryl Johns (double bass), Kweku Sumbry (drums) and Micah Thomas (piano) - with whom he will present to the Lithuanian audience his latest album "The 7th Hand" and new works that have not been published anywhere.

I. Wilkins began his musical career in his native Philadelphia. The first encounters with music in the life of this young man took place in the church of the local community, whose vaults were pierced by the gospel rising from God. Later, I. Wilkins continued his musical pursuits at Philadelphia's Clef jazz and performing arts club, which was organized thanks to the African-American community, and when he was only twelve, he performed the US national anthem in front of a crowd of thousands of American football fans gathered at a Philadelphia Eagles home game.

2015 Fresh out of high school, I. Wilkins was swept away by New York, which never sleeps. The young man who went to the megalopolis with a huge concentration of artists continued his studies at the Juilliard School. Walking the wide avenues of the Big Apple every day, I. Wilkins crossed paths with one of the most prominent trumpeters and composers of today, Ambrose Akinmusire, who became the young man's guide to the amazingly wide world of jazz. For the kid from Philadelphia, the fateful acquaintance was not only with A. Akinmusire, but also with pianist Jason Moran, who suggested that I. Wilkins, who plays the alto saxophone, join his series of concerts dedicated to the legendary pianist Thelonious Monk.

New York and the acquaintances made there became a career springboard for a young man from Pennsylvania who mastered the saxophone. I. Wilkins soon began to cooperate with  Solange Knowles, Gretchen Parlato, Wynton Marsalis, Gerald Clayton, Aaron Parks, Joel Rosso and more. the most famous representatives of jazz.

The work of helping other musicians with their creative drive did not allow I. Wilkins to fully feel the fullness of his soul. Turning to the circle of his closest friends in New York, he assembled a quartet that delighted music lovers all over the world. And how can you not be happy when you are accompanied in the recording studios and on the stage by the brightest personalities of the young generation: a drummer who admires the rhythmic heritage of West Africa and a member of the collective of one of the best American pianists of his generation, Cyrus Chestnut, K. Sumbry, a post-bop jazz enthusiast and a devilishly talented double bass player Daryl Johns and pianist Micah Thomas, who skillfully combines tradition and modernity, playing with the cult Billy Drummond or free jazz sensation Zoh Amba.

in 2020. The quartet led by the alto saxophonist released their debut album Omega. After the prestigious "Blue Note" campaign, which once released John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and a bunch of other jazz Mohicans, the album that appeared on the wing caused a real storm among jazz lovers. The opus of modern mainstream jazz with strong post-bop influences made more than one heart beat faster. "Omega" revealed I. Wilkins not only as an excellent alto saxophonist, but also as a suite-minded composer, whose music's predominant lyricism, bright melodies, carefully created narrative lines are expertly combined with energetic avant-garde improvisational passages.

New York Times Best of 2020 "Omega", selected as a jazz album, opened the door for I. Wilkins to the jazz elite. Concerts at major festivals, praise from music critics, records being swept off the shelves of music stores. I. Wilkins experienced all this, but he did not sleep on the mountain covered with laurels. in 2022 presented the second album of his quartet "The 7th Hand". With this album, I. Wilkins entered an even more mature, intimate stage of his work. In the album created on the principle of a suite, the saxophonist examines the human relationship with religion, the recesses of existence between being and non-existence, in which many references to I. Wilkins' personal experiences can be read. And the musical side of the album reveals an even stronger desire to connect with one's roots - African-American musical traditions - and a much more obvious shift towards spiritual jazz aesthetics.

Cultural jazz magazine "DownBeat" I. Wilkins and his youthfully energetic, but extremely mature quartet, who was chosen as the best alto saxophonist, are coming to Vilnius to demonstrate their jazz vision. Visions in which breaking away from tradition rises to new heights!

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A strange ugly fish (Lithuania)
Aistė Kalvelytė - dr
Julius Čepukėnas - e

It would seem that good jazz usually requires a large group of musicians, endless instruments and extremely complex melodic compositions, which would not only reveal sound solutions, but also emphasize the virtuosity of the performers. It would seem...

However, sometimes excitement and energy win, and if someone were to ask which Lithuanian group can radiate the most energy into the universe in the shortest time, the duo "Keista Bjauri Žuvis" would definitely be there. in the top three favourites.

With minimal means, but with maximum power, this duo makes you forget the past, present and tomorrow, and their electronics, led by the non-stop pulsating rhythm of the drums, invite you to surrender to the primitive man living in each of us.

p>The team of Aistė Kalvelytė and Julius Čepukėnas not only creates unique music for the Lithuanian scene imbued with jazz, experiments and electronic sounds, but also proves that two completely different people, a ceramicist and a programmer, can find a common path, even if that path is strange and ugly .

And it doesn't matter if they are jazz purists or just young people who want to dance - "Keista Bjauri Vivis" is the right catch for anyone who wants an unforgettable experience.

"Legs are for Swimming" "is a kind of jazzy punk rock that can attract those who are indifferent to this elite genre and spread not only fun, but also a somewhat educational message, thus interweaving what is pleasant with what is useful", said the "370" music reviewer about the group's debut record. Jonas Braškys.

"Different rhythms, ranging from strictly structured to almost improvised intuitive percussion games, waves of various tones, timbres or lengths generated by synthesizers mix with each other, mix and create music that is not subject to preconceived notions and is quickly engaging", - stated Vitalijus Gailius, reviewer of the Lithuanian Music Information Center, while discussing the above-mentioned album.

Surrendering to each other's improvisations, without overloading their works with the abundance of instruments (and abandoning such a traditional guitar), Aistė and Julius create a unique sound, inspired by their compatriots "SheepGot Waxed ", which changes every time the duo climbs into the sc

"We play and we don't know how it sounds. It's a lot of different things thrown into one pot. Here you can feel the different influences made by the music we listen to. Everything is thrown into one cauldron and shaken well," says Julius Čepukėnas about the group's work.

"It's just such a jazzy way of putting yourself in a frame," adds Aistė Kalvelytė.

Perfectly relaxing and relaxing, letting their creativity flow easily, "Keista Bjauri Zuvis" dives deeper, stranger and more unpredictable.

And there is never ugly there.

The project is financed by the Lithuanian Culture Council and the Vilnius City Municipality.

On the AllEvents portal you can always Buy tickets to an event Cinema Kino filmas "Skyrybų vakarėlis", Vilnius, Lietuvos nacionalinis dramos teatras March 14

* 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.