Jazz Session with Kęstutis Vaiginis to Illuminate Liepāja’s Music Scene

Liepāja’s vibrant jazz scene is set to welcome Lithuanian saxophonist and composer Kęstutis Vaiginis for a special Jazz Session on Tuesday, March 10th. The event will take place at 7:00 PM in the 2nd-floor lobby of the “Lielais Dzintars” concert hall, continuing the tradition of showcasing both local and international jazz talent. Source

A Renowned Lithuanian Jazz Artist

Kęstutis Vaiginis is a highly respected figure in the Lithuanian jazz world, known for his energetic performances and collaborations with prominent American jazz musicians. His discography and career have seen him perform alongside artists such as Alex Sipiagin, David Kikoski, Mike Stern, and Leni Stern, among others. Source He has also graced the stages of prestigious international jazz festivals, including “North Sea Jazz” and events in Rotterdam, London, Ottawa, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Beijing, Cape Town, and Panama. Source

Jazz Session: A Liepāja Tradition

Established in 2017, Jazz Session is a series of jazz music and free improvisation events designed to foster the development of the jazz movement in Liepāja. Source The concert program is a collaborative effort between the artistic director of Jazz Session, Rustams Bagirovs, and the students and teachers of the popular and jazz music department of the Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School (LMMDV). Source

What to Expect

Attendees can anticipate a dynamic musical experience, observing the interplay between musicians, the spontaneity of improvisation, and the unique language of jazz. The event promises to be both educational and inspiring for jazz enthusiasts of all levels. Source Vaiginis’s musical style blends original compositions with jazz standards, incorporating influences from modern jazz, academic music, Latin rhythms, be-bop, post-bop, and Afro music. Source

Vaiginis’s Accolades

Kęstutis Vaiginis has received recognition for his contributions to jazz music, including the “Europamusicale” award from the European Culture Foundation and the Grand Prix of the Birštonas Jazz Festival. Source American saxophonist Steve Wilson praised Vaiginis’s album “Unexpected Choices,” describing it as “subtle and challenging, rooted in tradition but looking to the future.” Source