Eglė Vakarinaitė – vocals
Andrej Polevikov – keys
Mindaugas Vadoklis – trumpet
Artūrs Duckis – bass
Jonas Filmanavičius – drums

Event is free of charge

The experience-filled and discovery-rich Friday program of “Kaunas Jazz” will culminate in a late-night concert, where five well-known Lithuanian jazz musicians will take the stage.

The quintet “Jazz It Was,” formed by singer Eglė Vakarinaitė and pianist Andrej Polevikov, has prepared a program inviting listeners to immerse themselves in modern arrangements of famous jazz standards.

Eglė Vakarinaitė is already well known to the festival audience (for example, two years ago her ensemble “Jazz’Strada” performed on the main open-air stage of “Kaunas Jazz”).

Eglė is a professional jazz vocalist and vocal teacher who studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen (Netherlands). Possessing a deep and memorable voice, she has performed in Latvia, Spain, and Portugal, and appeared with Lithuanian jazz legend Petras Vyšniauskas at the Expo exhibition in Zaragoza and other events.

Her voice can also be heard in films and pop music recordings—she has recorded songs with groups such as “G & G Sindikatas,” electronic music artists “Happyendless,” “Sinstation,” and others.

She has also sung in the TV music project “Dainuoju Lietuvą,” at the “Silver Crane” film awards ceremony, and has held several successful concert series with the chamber ensemble “Musica Humana” and the string quartet “Archi Quartett.” She regularly performs at Lithuanian jazz festivals and clubs with her group “Jazz Between The Sheets.”

Pianist, composer, arranger, and educator Andrej Polevikov has been active on the Lithuanian jazz scene for more than two decades. From blues to pop and classical jazz, from regular tours with popular singer Giedrė (with whom he previously played in the jazz group “Jazz Miniatures”) to performing with orchestra alongside tenor Andrea Bocelli—his career is full of colorful highlights.

He has performed across many European countries and the United States with various ensembles, places strong emphasis on blending folklore and jazz (as heard in the critically acclaimed albums “Ethnic Mood” and “Folk Tales”), and this year presented a collection of songs for children together with singer Laura Budreckytė.

Trumpeter Mindaugas Vadoklis has spent two decades involved in diverse musical projects and concerts in Lithuania and abroad. From avant-garde jazz and performances with improvisational musician Dalius Naujokaitis to collaborations with leading Lithuanian jazz artists, recordings with pop star Monika Liu, and work with rap group “G & G Sindikatas,” his activity is both extensive and highly visible.

Born in Latvia, bassist Artūras Duckis now lives in Lithuania and has quickly integrated into the country’s music scene. He has performed for years with artists such as Liudas Mockūnas, Dmitrijus Golovanovas, Egidijus Buožis, Dainius Pulauskas, Monika Liu, and others. Currently, he regularly plays with Linas Adomaitis, Veronika ChiChi, the big band “Vilnius JJazz Ensemble,” the group “Duck Saved Jones,” and other ensembles.

On drums this evening will be Jonas Filmanavičius—one of the best young drummers in Lithuania, known for playing in the group “SHWR,” which shines both at music festivals and in the widely followed Eurovision selection contests.

Beyond that, the drummer performs a wide range of music—from jazz to electronic—and collaborates with various ensembles. He has appeared at jazz festivals in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, and other countries.

“The songs performed this evening are interpreted in a contemporary way while maintaining a connection to their stylistic roots. The aesthetics of swing, bebop, and traditional jazz will allow listeners to recognize different styles while also hearing how the beauty of tradition reveals itself anew,” says the quintet.

Their concert will become another highlight debut of “Kaunas Jazz”—the program, to be performed at the Volfas Engelman Gallery, has been prepared especially for this festival.