RAIMONDS PAULS / LATVIAN RADIO BIG BAND

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Jazz suites composed in the 1960s by pianist and composer Raimonds Pauls, re-arranged by Kārlis Vanags and newly recorded by the Maestro in 2021, together with the Latvian Radio Big band at the legendary Latvian Radio Studio.

天火 or TEN KA is the other side of composer and multi-instrumentalist Deniss Pashkevich who joins jazz and contemporary music through TEN KA. 

Deniss Pashkevich is a multi-award winning composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, sound designer and a prominent figure in Baltics jazz. With his strong, unique voice Deniss Pashkevich combines more than 25 years experience in improvisation music and avant-garde, modern classical and electronic music modular synthesis.

Kristaps Vanadzinsh Trio recording is a testament to the vitality and sophistication of the jazz music tradition. It pulses with the history of jazz music - melodic ballads and harmonically rich jazz miniatures which, within the paradigm of acoustic jazz, offer both peaceful harbours, and the excitement of the journey

THE LOST LATVIAN RADIO STUDIO SESSIONS 1965 / 1966 is a lasting testament to the fact that in the annals of music history Raimonds Pauls remains not only as an author of beloved pop songs, but also as a great jazz composer and a pianist gifted with his special style. These jazz recordings form the cornerstones of the Maestro's musical legacy. 

Historical Latvian jazz recordings from the original master tapes. Performed by Raimonds Pauls Trio with a guest appearance by Alexander Pischikov.

Saxophone duet recording on the peat bog and live from concert at the peat amphitheater "Solstice". One of the leading European free jazz saxophonist Liudas Mockūnas performing together with one of the best Baltic free improvisation saxophonist Arvydas Kazlauskas. 

Spoken-word and improvised music ensemble in which Latvian poet Aleksandra Line meets with through music Latvian pianist Edgars Cirulis and Danish double bassist Albert Reinholdt Østergaard, to create stories together. 

14th century European music, interpreted by harpsichordist and organist Ilze Bertrand, playing from sheet music written in the 15th century from the Codex Faenza collection (Biblioteca Comunale Manfrediana di Faenza).

Performed on a medieval clavisimbalum built by master harpsichord builder Kaspars Putrins, based on sketches from the 15th century.

Janis Rungis is one of the brightest jazz and free improvisation musicians of his generation in Latvia. His solo album YGGDRASIL was recorded during a live session in Nurme's church. The musical mood of the recording is created by the synthesis of the church's organ, guitars, a Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clavisimbalum, and various loop effects. It is music, where the artist's personal message is of utmost importance, while the acoustics of the Nurme church is one more instrument.

The Latvian Radio Big Band is one of the most legendary jazz music ensembles in the Baltics, which over the course of many years has proven itself with high quality recordings and has brought together outstanding jazz musicians. IDENTITIES is comprised of compositions by the Big Band’s leader, Karlis Vanags, which are rooted in big band traditions and are surprisingly honest and personal. Contemporary music without artificial melodic resolution which sustains a lively swing mood

The world of sound created by contemporary jazz trio Auziņš / Čudars / Arutyunyan can be characterised by fearlessness and the never-ending search for the boundaries of new sounds. In their music, an elegant grasp of the jazz canon meets with the mood dictated by the moment. A brilliant contemporary jazz recording.

Vyacheslav Ganelin, one of the most important artist in European avant - garde jazz scene, unites with two of the brightest Baltic jazz musicians of their generation - saxophonist Deniss Pashkevich and percussionist Arkady Gotesman. 

OP.2 by Stanislav Judin and Asnate Rancane charms with contemporary interpretation of folklore in ambient, experimental and meditative music. The record is characterized by strong vocals and an innovative approach to playing a contrabass, which reveals the great potential of this instrument. 

Excerption from liner notes of vinyl release:
“You are listening to a slice of time in Endless Roar’s evolution, warmly captured on tape in the winter of 2018. Since its conception the group has ventured through Noise, Ambient Drone, Electroacoustic and Art-Rock territories before arriving at its current state - Free Improvisation (...). 

Electric - jazz / Soul - jazz / Fusion album “Sequences and Consequences” charms with melodies, harmonies and “hot” rhythm section. Formed by pianist Ritvars Garoza, bassist Valters Sprudzs, saxophonist Davis Jurka and drummer Andris Buikis, four of busiest musicians in Latvian music scene, LUPA sounds contemporary, exciting and honest. Thanks to a completely analogue recording approach, on tape, without any overdubs, extra energy is present in this album. 

A bright Latvian experimental jazz record that organically fits in the Nordic jazz scene. 

Trumpeter Gerhard Ornig, saxophonist Toms Rudzinskis, drummer Andris Buiķis and contrabassist Pat Cleaver have created original and contemporary jazz music that combines tradition-based yet contemporary, dynamic and energetic sound. The recording was made in an analogue manner on a tape with the musicians playing together in the same room. 

Music that cannot be defined by time or place and surely demonstrates the most daring and creative elements of 20th century jazz and rock music.