Free jazz coryphée John Coltrane often becomes the subject of projects uniting Lithuanian jazz musicians of different generations. Arkady Gotesman, an initiator of this project, again returns to the rebellious free jazz innovator. “John Coltrane was the first to untether drummer’s expression scope and liberate his possibilities”, says Arkady.

Tribute to John Coltrane will add to Gotesman’s Stories of Drummers, a concert series launched this year, dedicated to free and avant-garde jazz pioneers. The idea of the series is to uncover what inspired these musicians to be different, change development of jazz music; what determined their freedom. John Coltrane was one of the inspirations.

Trio programs Coltrane’s rarely performed compositions as well as original versions of his music.

Juozas Kuraitis, one of the most talented Lithuanian saxophonists of younger generation, is a frequent guest at the “Vilnius Jazz”. In 2008, he gave an impressive performance with Baby Trio from Greece, last year he presented a project with Tomas Razmus and Arnas Malikėnas.

Recently, Kuraitis has been often performing with Arkady Gotesman; he also is a member of the percussionist’s new Quintet. He has collaborated with many a jazzman including Artūras Anusauskas, Herbie Kopf, George Kontrafouris, Robin Aristoren, and Kęstutis Vaiginis. Kuraitis has formed his own Quartet in which he is teaming with Dmitry Golovanov, Vytis Nivinskas and Darius Rudis.

The saxophonist is at ease with mainstream and free jazz, tango and classical music. He was a member of In Culto, appeared with Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, saxophone quartet Sax Fix and various big bands.

The saxophonist received Master Degree from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (2008) and furthered his education at the Sibelius Academy in Finland. As a member of various formations Kuraitis took part in all jazz festivals in Lithuania, contemporary music festivals.

He was a prize winner in J. Pakalnis Young Performers’ Competition (1999) and jazz competitions in Nida (2004), “Jazz Hope” (2005) and “Vilnius Jazz Young Power” (2006, 2007).

Eugenijus Kanevičius is one of the most versatile Lithuanian bassists and composers. He made his debut on jazz scene in 1986.

He has collaborated with all leading Lithuanian jazz musicians, was part of Petras Vyšniauskas’, Juozas Milašius’, Liudas Mockūnas’, Vytautas Labutis’, Vladimir Tarasov’s and Tomas Kutavičius’ significant projects, for many years has been sharing stage with Arkady Gotesman, Skirmantas Sasnauskas, Artūras Anusauskas, Egidijus Buožis, Arvydas Jofė and Neda Malūnavičiūtė among other musicians.

He has also worked with Estonian saxophonist Raivo Tafenau Quartet, Dream Big Band, has contributed to the success of Kaunas Big Band, Vilnius Jazz Quartet and Traffic.

Kanevičius’ music is featured on albums of Raivo Tafenau Quartet, L.V.K.A. and other groups. He has composed music for children plays, recorded over 10 CDs.

The bassist regularly appears in jazz festivals in Lithuania, has represented Lithuania in Bulgaria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Italy, Great Britain, etc.

In 2004, for his contributions the Lithuanian Musicians’ Union presented Kanevičius with Golden Disc.

Arkady Gotesman is one of the most resourceful Lithuanian percussionists. In addition to playing jazz, he performs contemporary academic music, writes scenarios for performances and installations, composes, records and performs music for theatre, performs as a silent film taper, collaborates with dancers.

Gotesman’s percussion can be heard in Oskaras Koršunovas’ theatre productions, and Anatolijus Šenderovas’ ballet Desdemona, choreographer Loreta Juodkaitė’s production To Disobey. Together with actress Dalia Michelevičiūtė he designed a theatre project Station in City N after Wislawa Szymborska’s poetry.

Recently, the percussionist has been preoccupied with theatrical vocabulary. In 2010, Gotesman invited to his first one-man show The Story of God’s Man. This year together with visual artists Linas Liandzbergis and Artūras Valiauga he presented new project Percussion Postcards. Yet different kind of theatre can be found in his jazz and Yiddish music quartet in which he teams up with singer Rafailas Karpis, pianist Darius Mažintas and saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas.

Inspired by J. Brodsky’s poems the percussionist recorded solo album J. Brodsky in memoriam; his music is also featured on a CD of Rolandas Rastauskas’ poems.

Gotesman made his jazz debut in the ‘80s, later collaborated with exponents of various trends including Roland Dahinden, Vladimir Volkov, Vyacheslav Gaivoronsky, Arkady Shikloper, Julian Joseph, John Zorn, David Geringas, Jack Siron, Frank London, Anthony Coleman, Charles Gayle and Tim Daisy.

For many years the percussionist has been working with Petras Vyšniauskas, Vyacheslav Ganelin and Liudas Mockūnas. He also collaborates with Dainius Pulauskas Group, Vilnius Jazz Orchestra and ACCOsax Freeminded trio; has presented original projects with vocalist Andrė Pabarčiūtė. Gotesman is a founder and member of Vilnius Klezmer Orchestra, organises the Klezmer Music Festival.