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18 and 19 February, 2011. Leonid Shinkarenko, an acoustic and electric bass virtuoso, and his band Jazz 5 come back to London after their successful concerts last year. On 18 and 19 February at Ronnie Scott's they will support The Billy Cobham Band. Next to the leader of the band Leonid Shinkarenko, the concert features the All Stars Band: the best jazz trumpet player in Lithuania Valerijus Ramoška, one of the most prominent saxophone players Vytautas Labutis, keyboardist and 'one man orchestra' Dainius Pulauskas and the drummer Linas Būda. The concert is presented in collaboration with the Lithuanian Embassy in London.

“Leonid Shinkarenko is one of the most illustrious figures in Lithuanian Jazz, virtuoso jazz bassist and distinctive Jazz composer.” Nommejazz

An acoustic and electric bass virtuoso the award winning Lithuanian bass player Leonid Shinkarenko has been a cornerstone of the Lithuanian jazz scene for more than 25 years. He first came to prominence in 1981 and over the following 15 years established an enviable reputation as one of the finest bass players in Eastern Europe, performing in all the major Jazz Clubs and festivals as well as appearing on over 60 albums. In 1997 he made his debut as a leader, releasing an album of his own compositions, Sagittarius. He has since produced 3 further albums under his own name as well as recording and touring with the Award winning Lithuanian Jazz Trio. His fluent and creative playing has been heard at numerous Festivals around Europe including the Jazz Jamboree in Warsaw, Varna Jazz Festival in Bulgaria, Jazz Expo in Genoa, Italy and the International Music Fair MIDEM in Cannes, France. An educationalist of some note he started the annual Nida Jazz Marathon in Lithuania that has now evolved into the Nida Jazz Festival. The band this evening features one of the best jazz trumpet players in Lithuania Valerijus Ramoška, saxophonist Vytautas Labutis, pianist Dainius Pulauskas and drummer Linas Būda, all established and well known musicians on the Lithuanian jazz scene.

Valerijus Ramoška (trumpet): One of the much sought-after Lithuanian jazz musicians. He is a distinguished soloist and a flexible ensemble member, who can adapt to various forms of leadership and musical styles. With various ensembles he has been seen on Lithuanian jazz scene since 1990, and with Dainius Pulauskas Group since its inception in 1994. Winning wide public acclaim as a trumpeter with this group, he also performs with other groups ranging from duos and chamber formations to big bands. He is a soloist with the Lithuanian Radio and Television Big Band and is often invited to perform with the Kaunas Big Band.

Vytautas Labutis (reeds): One of the most prominent and active jazz figures in Lithuania. Frontman of bands, multitalented creator, pedagogue, multiinstrumental improviser, playing all types of reeds, keyboards (often more than one instrument at a time), singing. Labutis is great both at free improvisations and composed structures, in chamber groups and large ensembles. Having started moving to international stages back in 1982, he has since played with pretty much every jazz musician in Lithuania, is busy in multiple international collaborations, produces his own projects, leads various ensembles. The artist has a wide spectrum of creative interests, including collaborations with contemporary composers, participating in experimental performances with visual artists, writing music for theatre and film, working at his own recording studio Saxabassa Records.

Dainius Pulauskas (piano): Dainius Pulauskas is a pianist, keyboard player, renowned group leader and original composer. Displaying excellent piano technique and enviable deftness in manipulating the electronic keyboards, Pulauskas achieved prominence and wide renown with the Dainius Pulauskas Group, distinguished for the quality of ensemble and the instantly recognisable style. His original compositions became the group's winning streak. Having embarked on jazz scene in 1990, with the Skirmantas Sasnauskas Jazz Quartet, he has performed with many Lithuanian jazz musicians. Since 1996 he has been leader and composer with his own group. Apart from all that, he also gives solo concerts, performs in duo with trumpeter Valerijus Ramoška, in various Leonid Shinkarenko's ensembles, and with the Lithuanian Radio and Television Big Band.

Linas Būda (percussion): Drummer Linas Būda started playing rock music in such Lithuanian cult bands as “Rock Laboratory” and “Antis”. In 1988 he joined Sasnauskas Quartet, later also Dainius Pulauskas Sextet and Leonid Shinkarenko Jazz 4. He is also a member of the Lithuanian Radio and Television Big Band, takes part in various jazz projects together with Petras Vyšniauskas, Danielius Praspaliauskis, Vladimir Chekasin, and others.

18-19 February, 2011. Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4HT. To book your ticket(s) please visit http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/artists/support-1819-leonid-shinkarenko-jazz-5-band?performance=475-the-billy-cobham-band. From £25 to £42.50.