Kęstutis Vaiginis trio

Kęstutis Vaiginis – saxophones (Lithuania) Michał Barański – double bass (Poland) Giuseppe “Joe” Santoro – drums (Italy)

Kęstutis Vaiginis, one of Lithuania's most prominent jazz saxophonists and jazz composers, introduces Lithuanian listeners and his fans to new musical projects and new creative partners every time.

This time, the international Kęstutis Vaiginis trio will feature international-caliber virtuosos who have recently joined his projects: Polish double bassist and 3-time Grammy winner Michał Barański, who has just returned from a tour with Greg Osby, and Italian drummer Giuseppe “Joe” Santoro, who also successfully completed a European tour with Stanley Clarke.

All of the trio leader's partners are also unique composers who will bring new colors to his original work.

Kęstutis Vaiginis' talent as a composer is evidenced by the impressive routes of his creative work. With various ensembles, he has performed his music not only in Lithuania but also in the Netherlands, Spain, France, the USA, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, India, South Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, Scotland, and other countries.

The artist has also written music for big bands and has performed his compositions with the German National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

In his work, K. Vaiginis combines modern jazz with elements of academic music, drawing on the traditions of bebop, Latin, and Afro music.

“His vision is subtle and provocative, born from a respect for tradition, yet always looking forward” – this is how the famous American saxophonist Steve Wilson described Kęstutis' music.

Among the musician's past and present stage partners are Alex Sipiagin, David Berkman, Dave Kikoski, Ed Howard, Donald Edwards, Mike Stern, Dave Allen, Adam Cruz, Randal Corsen, Joonas Haavisto, Barbara Dennerlein, Hernan Romero, Denisas Paškevičius, and musicians from Indonesia, South Korea, and Italy.

As a bandleader and guest artist with various ensembles, he has performed at the North Sea Jazz, Rotterdam, London, Ottawa, Cape Town, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and other prestigious jazz festivals, at the legendary New York club “Blue Note,” and has toured on four continents.

The musician's discography includes six original albums, with US jazz luminaries participating in the recordings. K. Vaiginis' works are also included in several Lithuanian music compilations. The performer is a laureate of many national and international competitions and the European Cultural Foundation “Europamusicale” prize, and a winner of the Birštonas Jazz Festival Grand Prix (2010).