The double-bassist Claude Tchamitchian is on an extended tour in the Baltic Countries and Finland in October-November 2026. He travels by car from Paris and carries with him one of the double basses that belonged to the legendary Jean-Francois Jenny-Clarke. Tchamitchian performs his solo “In Spirit” and gives master classes along the way, starting from the Vilnius Jazz Festival on 15 October. In Finland he also performs some concerts with his trio Poetic Power featuring Christophe Monniot on saxophone and Eric Echampard on drums. The trio plays at Tampere Jazz Happening on 1 November, exactly 30 years after the first concert of the first tour organised by Vapaat äänet. Tchamitchian was part of this tour in 1996 as a member of trombonist’s Yves Robert quartet.
The agency founded by Charles Gil in 1996 also celebrates its 30th anniversary in Helsinki on 26 October with a concert organised by Hietsu is Happening! Tchamitchian will perform in solo and brings a piece for six basses performed by five prominent Finnish bassists and himself.
« In Spirit » is the third solo project from renowned double bassist and composer Claude Tchamitchian, a major figure in contemporary European jazz. This new work is a testament to his lifelong commitment to exploring new musical territories and developing unique languages specific to the double bass.
For the first time in his career, Tchamitchian approached his solo work by imagining the music in advance, rather than discovering it progressively through the creative process. This new approach led him to fundamentally reconsider the very nature of his instrument. During this journey, he was offered the extraordinary opportunity to perform with one of the double basses that belonged to the legendary Jean-François Jenny-Clark—a serendipitous event that coincided with the 20th anniversary of Jenny-Clark’s passing, adding a deep sense of legacy and homage to the project.
Claude Tchamitchian In Spirit
Claude Tchamitchian – double bass, composition
SOLO In Spirit
(c) Christophe Charpenel
The Poetic Power ensemble continues the bassist’s work for a large orchestra, reimagined and arranged for a trio format. The trio features some of the leading figures of the French jazz scene. saxophonist Christophe Monniot and drummer Eric Echampard.
According to Tchamitchian himself, the trio’s airy virtuosity and profound creativity ensure a fluid dialogue within a compositional framework that leaves ample room for the musicians to move freely. This poetic and lyrical journey keeps its feet firmly on the ground while its head remains in the clouds. “Never has Tchamitchian’s bass, which provides the trio with its solid foundation, sounded so lyrical and songful,” writes Nicolas Dourlhès of Citizen Jazz about the album Poetic Power (Emouvance, 2020), which features the American drummer Tom Rainey.
Claude Tchamitchian trio Poetic Power
Claude Tchamitchian – double bass, composition
Christophe Monniot – saxes
Eric Echampard – drums
Eric Echampard, Claude Tchamitchian, Christophe Monniot (c) Jérôme Prébois
Tour program from 15 October to 9 November
LITHUANIA
Thu 15/10 Vilnius Jazz Festival / solo concert
Fri 16/10 Vilnius, Music Academy / master Class
LATVIA
Sat 17/10 Lūznava Manor / solo concert
Sun 18/10 Cesvaine, Divi Torni / solo concert
Mon 19/10 Riga, Latvian Music Academy / master class + solo concert
Tue 20/10 Lielvarde, Music School / solo concert
ESTONIA with Uus Kontsert
Fri 23/10 Konguta Rahvamaja / solo concert
Sat 24/10 Kõrvipalu Loometalu / solo concert
FINLAND
Mon 26/10 Helsinki, Hietsu is Happening! Vapaat äänet 30 years : solo + new piece for six bass players : Ville Herrala, Jori Huhtala, Uffe Krokfors, Antti Lötjönen, Eero Tikkanen, Claude Tchamitchian
Tues 27/10 Loimaa, Taidetalo / solo concert
Wed 28/10 Turku, Sibelius-museum / solo concert
Thu 29/10 Tampere, Café Laiku: solo + interview / Tampere Jazz Happening Spin off
Sun 01/11 Tampere Jazz Happening: Poetic Power trio / Vapaat äänet 30 years
Tue 03/11 Raahe, school concert / Poetic Power trio
Tue 03/11 Theater of Raahe / Poetic Power trio @ Rantajatsiklubi
Wed 04/11 Oulu, RioLive: solo + Poetic Power trio / OMJ Jazz & Etno
Thu 05/11 Seinäjoki, Kalevan naveta: solo + Poetic Power trio / Jazzoikoon!
Fri 06/11 Äänekoski, Wille / solo concert
Sat 07/11 Loviisa, Vanha Makkaratehdas / solo concert
Sun 08/11 Rajamäki, home concert / solo concert
ESTONIA
Mon 09/11 Tallinn, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre/ master class + solo concert
Tour production: Emouvance
Tour booking and tour management: Vapaat äänet
Tour support: AJC, Adami, CNM, Spedidam