The band came together just half a year ago, yet they have already made their mark by winning the Nida Jazz Marathon, where they performed under their former name, ACDV Quartet. Now, reintroducing themselves under a new name that reflects their roots - some members hail from Klaipėda, others from Vilnius - they continue to shape a distinctive musical identity.

KlaipėdVilnis blends the freedom of improvisation with elements of Armenian ethnic music. In the final round of the competition, the group will perform an original composition by Davit Avetisyan titled Is It Art?

Davit Avetisyan is a composer and saxophonist of Armenian descent living in Lithuania. His music often features Armenian and Eastern musical motifs. He graduated from the Vilnius Conservatory and earned his master’s degree at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LAMT). Davit has received numerous accolades, including first prize at the National Petras Vyšniauskas Saxophone Competition in 2022.

He is the founder and leader of the progressive jazz ensemble 21st Century Quintet. Their debut album On Ararat, released last year, reached the finals of the Euroradio Jazz Competition. As a saxophonist, Davit has performed at major Lithuanian jazz festivals, as well as in Norway and Moldova, and has been a frequent finalist at the Vilnius Jazz Young Power competition.

Anton Cifirov, a graduate of Klaipėda’s S. Šimkus Conservatory, is currently studying at Vilnius University while staying deeply involved in music. A laureate of several international piano competitions in Lithuania and abroad, he has performed at the country’s major jazz festivals with various ensembles and shared the stage with artists such as Vytautas Grubliauskas, Ukrainian saxophonist Andrey Chmut, and U.S.-born jazz vocalist Nicole Zuraitis.

Joseph Dombrauskas, bassist and sound artist, is studying composition at LAMT while actively performing. His collaborations include trumpet player Sebastian Studnitzky, saxophonist Chico Freeman, and jazz pianist Vahagn Hayrapetyan.

Mindaugas Vaškys, the group’s drummer, is also a graduate of Klaipėda’s S. Šimkus Conservatory and currently resides in the port city. He has performed at key jazz events across Lithuania, won multiple competition prizes, and has been a recurring finalist in Vilnius Jazz Young Power. In 2021, he was named Best Instrumentalist of the competition.