Liepāja Bigband – Saulkrasti Jazz Festival

Liepāja Bigband

Liepāja Bigband was reformed in January, 2020, and now is one of the most gifted ensembles of Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School, lead by its artistic director Deniss Pashkevich.

During its operation, LBB (Liepāja Big Band) has performed a wide variety of programmes. The repertoire of the ensemble includes both classical jazz and contemporary jazz originals.  These are works composed and arranged by both local and internationally renowned jazz musicians, specifically for the sound of the Liepāja Big Band.

It is important to mention that the collaboration between Liepāja Big Band and Deniss Pashkevich encompasses not only classical big band jazz sound stylistics, but also non-traditional methods of musical study, thus acquiring elements of free improvisation. It also includes elements of electronic music, which are more and more relevant in the world today with which Deniss, as an artist, has received international recognition.

Examples include some important international recognitions such as “All about jazz” and “Downbeat” jazz magazine critics’ polls and high praise for Deniss’ work and recent vinyl records released on Jersika records and Riga Room Records labels.

This year the Saulkrasti Jazz audience will have the opportunity to hear a special cycle of original music by Denis Pashkevich, specially arranged for the Liepāja Big Band under the title “New Home”, which is also the title composition of this concert programme.

All in all, this is a true musical breakthrough into Deniss’ territory of original music. The mood of the concert is filled with hope, peace and enthusiasm for new music and musicality. “Music that invites” is definitely the motto of the “New Home” concert programme!

Deniss Pashkevich, multi-instrumentalist, composer, teacher of contemporary improvisation and jazz music, artistic director of the Liepāja Big Band says: “Working with the Liepāja Big Band is inspiring. We have only recently met, but the fire and positive energy gives the right direction to both our music and the educational process as a whole.”