Lithuanian power trio debuts at the London Jazz Festival
19 November, 2010. Lithuanian saxophonist Liudas Mockūnas’ brand new trio NuClear reflects the fast-growing impact of new jazz and impro from the eastern borders of Europe, with two award-winning young musicians, pianist Dmitrij Golovanov and drummer Marijus Aleksa. Mockūnas has worked internationally with Andrew Hill, New Jungle Orchestra, Marc Ducret, and Vladimir Tarasov – alongside Aleksa, he takes part in a special collaboration with the British jazz trioVD, co-commissioned with the Vilnius Jazz Festival.
The trio Mockūno NuClear (reeds, keyboard, perc) is made up of young yet experienced Lithuanian jazz musicians who have been playing together for several years. Original music composed by Liudas Mockūnas and Dmitrij Golovanov drives through the landscape of free improvisation, jazz, heavy rock and punk.
Trio VD vaporizes generic boundaries with their ear-cleansing assault of sliced thrash guitar, jagged saxophone and hyper-kinetic beats, this adrenaline-fuelled three piece have been wowing festival audiences across Europe.
“Absolutely astounding. Stuttering, staccato riffs set up by Sharkey and Bezenac, the notes flashing back and forth, with Bussey teasing sounds, not only from the drum heads, but from the rims and the shells. Then all three locked tight in the groove, with the audience just managing to nod in time. It was magnificent.” Scotland Herald
19 November, 8pm. ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts), The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH. Tickets £15, online: http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/events/2010-11-19/triovd-nu-clear
