Neda Malūnavičiūtė and Vytautas Labutis are prominent jazz figures in Central Europe, representatives of Vilnius jazz school, and students of Vladimir Chekasin. They began their collaboration in 1990 (the symbolic start coincided with the reestablishment of Lithuania’s independence) and have continued to work together. Both musicians can be characterised by their courage to experiment, their preference for unexpected arrangements, polystylistics and authentic enjoyment of arranging here and now. Over the years, working in long-established bands (Neda & Vilnius Jazz Quartet, L. Šinkarenka’s Jazz 5, Džiazo Nublokšti) and participating in individual projects (Terra Vandetuja, Orkestretto, Pokalbių Ratas) Neda and Vytautas have discovered a common language, a unique duo style and developed a telepathic sense of ensemble. Their music style is extensive, containing traditions of both American and European jazz, easily absorbing world music sounds and loyal to the aesthetics of Vilnius jazz school. Over the past two decades, this duo has undergone a certain evolution and undertaken various journeys from radical experiments that are just about considered music (with Vilnius Jazz Quartet) to well-manicured compositions and tributes to harmonious forms and the traditional jazz repertoire (projects with Artūras Anusauskas). Today, Neda and Vytautas have reached a mature creative period when their rich experience allows them to implement any ideas, and their mutual understanding provides maximum freedom of expression in the ensemble. Vytautas Labutis Jazz Quartet was established in 1990, the same year as the collaboration between Vytautas and Neda started. Since then, the quartet has released two albums of their original compositions (Flamenco Vilnensis and Layers) and toured extensively in Europe. The members of the quartet change from time to time and include both veterans of the Lithuanian jazz scene and young musicians. This time, Labutis is joined by multi-instrumentalist Leonardas Bėkša, who has recently joined the professional jazz scene, young drummer Darius Rudis, who has been considered one of the country’s best percussionists over the past few years, and Eugenijus Kanevičius, the irreplaceable versatile bass master. Neda Malūnavičiūtė – vocals, flute A live volcano, the first lady of Lithuanian jazz, and a tornado of voice and flute – these words accompanied by stormy applause were dedicated to Neda when in 2012 she collected the most coveted jazz award in Lithuania – Birštonas Jazz Festival Laureate Award. Her versatile voice has been heard in almost every musical genre, on radio and TV, and on the stages of large events and festivals. She sings pop, blues, and poetry. However, jazz is Neda’s first real love as it allows her to fully reveal her vocal range and strength, her unique scat improvisation technique, virtuoso mastery of the flute, and many other characteristics. Neda Malūnavičiūtė studied the flute at the Academy of Music and Theatre of Lithuania and learned improvisation with Vladimir Chekasin who laid the foundation for Vilnius jazz school. Neda made her stage debut in 1988. Since then, she has performed with almost all of the most prominent Lithuanian jazz musicians. On the international stage, the singer and flutist has shared the stage with Mikhail Finberg’s Big Band (Belarus), Daniil Kramer Trio (Russia), Bernd Homann Quartet (Germany), Kestutis Stančiauskas and the Streetdancer group (USA), Raivo Tafenau band (Estonia-Finland-Lithuania), and many others. Her concert tours cover most European countries and the USA. She has participated at the Imatra (1994), Tampere (1995), and Pori (2000) jazz festivals. In 1994, Neda was awarded the Grand Prix of the international vocal competition in Bialystok (Poland) and in 1999, was awarded the Grand Prix of the international Yesterday Pärnu contest in Estonia together with Dainius Pulauskas’ sextet. In her career as a pop singer Neda has won the pop music Bravo Award (1997). The latest trophy in her collection of awards is a statuette designed especially for her – the Grand Prix of the 2012 Birštonas Jazz Festival for her contribution to Lithuanian jazz. Vytautas Labutis – saxophones To simply say that Vytautas Labutis is a saxophonist would diminish the range of his activities. Labutis is not only the virtuoso of the single-reed instrument, he is also a sound artist who uses different sounding instruments: he plays the piano professionally, willingly explores various electronic instruments, and plays with whatever random objects are to hand. His sounds are often the result of chance and develop on the basis of fluxus principles, yet in other situations the musician may play a refined, well-tuned composition, improvise in the classical bebop style or perform the support role in a colleague’s project with inspiration and accuracy. His musical career began at Vilnius Balys Dvarionas School of Music where Vladimir Chekasin taught him the saxophone and jazz improvisations. He made his debut in 1982 with the Petras Vyšniauskas Quartet, and soon became one of the most important figures of the Lithuanian jazz scene. Labutis’ name is associated with many cornerstone projects of great national and international significance: in 1982–1988, he worked with Vyšniauskas; since 1987, he has been a member of Chekasin’s quartet; in 1988, he formed his own trio; and in 1995, a member of the quintet Džiazo Nublokšti. All these ensembles eventually became Lithuanian jazz ambassadors in Europe, and musicologists and culture scientists studying Soviet and post-Soviet jazz largely relied on their music in describing the phenomenon of Vilnius jazz school. For the past ten tears (including 2012), Labutis has remained a member of the Jazz Baltica Ensemble and played in the ensemble under the leadership of David Murray, Nils Pedersen, Mary Schneider, Django Bates, and others. He also took part in the international projects Octet Ost III, East-West Vapirov Project, New European Saxophone Quartet, and the Moscow Composers Orchestra. Among the many awards recognising the musician’s achievements, the most special is the Grand Prix of the 1996 Birštonas Jazz Festival for his contribution to Lithuanian jazz. Leonardas Bėkša – keyboards Leonardas Bėkša – a graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre is a rising new star. During his short time on the jazz scene he has managed to play at the most important international festivals in Lithuania (Vilnius Jazz, Vilnius Mama Jazz, Birštonas Jazz, Klaipėdos Pilies), appear abroad (one of the largest Ventspils Jazz Festival), and gain recognition not only among the promising young artists, but also among the jazz professionals (he played with Kanevičius, Gotesman, Labutis, and many other renowned artists). The young musician has also shared the stage with Gene Perla (USA), Bo Stief (Denmark), Herbie Kopf (Switzerland) and Johan Kolsut (Sweden). Even though Leonardas’ diploma states that he is a trumpet player, he is also equally proficient at the piano and, if needed, can even take up the bass guitar at jam sessions. In 2008, Brėkša participated at the national jazz competition Vilnius Jazz Young Power where he was recognised as the discovery of the year and was awarded the special prize for the contemporisation of the jazz tradition. Eugenijus Kanevičius – bass Eugenijus Kanevičius is the bass instrument supremo on the Lithuanian jazz scene. His passion for rock music led him to music school, but it so happened that the bass appeared in his hands instead of the electric guitar. Because of this fortunate twist of fate many Lithuanian musicians (Petras Vyšniauskas, Skirmantas Sasnauskas, Vytautas Labutis, Egidijus Buožis, Dainius Pulauskas, Liudas Mockūnas, Jan Maksimovic, Artūras Anusauskas, Arkady Gotesman, Arvydas Joffė, Vladimir Tarasov, and all others) as well as guests from abroad (Mikko Innanen, Craig Fermanis, Barney McAll, Josh Roseman, Brian Melvin, Philip Hamilton, Jari Perkiomaki, Mats Gustafsson, Steve Houghton, Arkady Schilkloper, Byron Wallen, and others) have had the chance to include quality, flexible and professionally performed pieces by Kanevičius in their compositions. In addition to a rather intense work schedule in various ensembles, Kanevičius also pursues his solo career. By incorporating a wide range of instruments (in addition to bass instruments, he plays the guitar, trumpet, percussion, voice, electronic accessories), he composes projects using elaborate techniques and his own unique philosophy. He also composes songs, music for children, and music for theatre and cinema. In 2004, the Lithuanian Musicians’ Union awarded him the Golden Disc Award for jazz music. Darius Rudis – drums Darius Rudis is an extremely popular jazz drummer in Lithuania. While still a student of Arkady Gotesman at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, he performed regularly on stage and was named the best drummer in the country. Currently, Darius is a significant contributor to the pulse of Lithuanian jazz, a member of many ensembles, a teacher, and an organiser of regular youth jam sessions. Since 1999, when Darius began his stage career, he has appeared regularly at the largest Lithuanian international jazz festivals and has often performed abroad. He is a member of the bands of Dainius Pulauskas, Leonidas Šinkarenko, Vytautas Labutis, Arūnas Šlaustas, Jan Maksimovic, Artūras Anusauskas, Egidijus Buožis, and Artūras Chalikovas and is also involved in international projects with Alexi Tuomarila, Anatoly Vapirov, Philip Hamilton, and other musicians.