French guitarist Marc Ducret, Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser and Lithuanian saxophonist Liudas Mockūnas join forces in a new trio. From November 23rd till December 4th, their tour with Vapaat äänet takes them to Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Marc Ducret, Samuel Blaser and Liudas Mockūnas have cultivated a musical friendship for many years in several constellations, but their first concert as a trio took place in October 2022 in Tallinn at Philly Joe’s club. These three creative personalities have embarked on a journey inspired by the sound of the legendary trio of Jimmy Giuffre, Jim Hall and Bob Brookmeyer. However, this group creates its own sound by playing the compositions of all trio members.
Marc Ducret comments: “It was obvious: I played with those two fantastic musicians such a long time…Liudas and I played together in Toxikum, in duo, trio with Jim Black, in Lady M; whereas Samuel and I have a long history playing in duo, trio, quartet, in my bands Lady M, Metatonal and ICI – the three of us HAD to try something together! So now it’s done; the result is of course a combination of our three musical sensibilities, but more than that, it’s a blend of all the music we played together on the road through the years, all the moments and memories we share – and all the excitement of making it new again.”
The trio hits the road for the first time in November-December 2023. The tour starts with three concerts in Finland on November 23rd – 26th in Helsinki, Savonlinna and Pori ; it continues with three more concerts and a master class in Estonia from November 28th – 30th in Tallinn, Viljandi and Võru. The trio teaches, performs and records in Riga on December 1st-3rd. The final concert takes place in Vilnius on December 4th.
Marc Ducret guitar
Samuel Blaser trombone
Liudas Mockūnas saxophones
Marc Ducret, Samuel Blaser, Liudas Mockunas (c) Maarit Kytöharju
Ducret – Blaser – Mockūnas on tour in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
FINLAND kiertuetiedote suomeksi
Thu 23/11 Helsinki, Hietsun Paviljonki / Hietsu is Happening
Fri 24/11 Savonlinna, Kulttuurikellari/ Olavin Jazz
Sun 26/11 Pori, Validi Karkia -klubi @ Studio Hilkka
ESTONIA
Tue 28/11 Tallinn, Music Academy / master class
Tue 28/11 Tallinn, Philly Joe’s
Wed 29/11 Viljandi, Pärimusmuusika Ait
Thu 30/11 Võru, Kannel
LATVIA
Fri 01/12 Riga, Music Academy / master class
Sat 02/12 Riga, Jersika studio / concert
Sun 03/12 Riga, Jersika studio/ recording
LITHUANIA
Mon 04/12 Vilnius, Improdimensija
Tue 05/12 Vilnius,Master class (Ducret)
Wed 06/12 Klaipéda, Master class (Ducret/Mockunas), concert (Ducret/Mockunas)
Thu 07/12 Birstonas (Ducret/Mockunas)
Tour production: Seven Songs
Tour booking and management: Vapaat äänet
Tour support: AJC, French Institute of Estonia, Pro Helvetia, Ministère de la Culture
Marc Ducret counts among today’s most original improvisers. When on stage, he makes an impression of a man-orchestra. Empowered by electric and acoustic guitars, the self-taught virtuoso does not restrict himself to a particular style, plays distinctive and unexpected music. Born in 1957, he started his professional career in the mid-70’s and since then, he has never stopped looking for new artistic horizons. He has been featured in solo in opera production, worked with the performers of traditional Chinese music, and recorded several soundtracks. Currently he performs in solo, in duo with Liudas Mockūnas, Samuel Blaser, Christophe Monniot, in the quartet ICI, multidisciplinary project MORSE, and Lady M, taking on one of Shakespeare’s most famous and frightening female characters, Lady Macbeth, in an 11-piece ensemble. He also collaborates with Ictus Contemporary Music Ensemble. His discography counts 21 albums on his name.
https://www.marcducret.com/bio
Samuel Blaser won many awards for classical and jazz performance while studying at La Chaux-de-Fonds Conservatoire, and since graduating has played in various big bands, including the European Radio Orchestra and Vienna Art Orchestra. After receiving a Fulbright scholarship, he studied at the New York Conservatory and later settled in Berlin, where he is still resident. According to the musician, he was created as he is today by his partnership with the jazz masters of the older generation, such as Pierre Favre, John Hollenbeck, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ducret, Paul Motian, Oliver Lake and Daniel Humair.
https://www.samuelblaser.com
Multi-instrumentalist, composer and group leader Liudas Mockūnas is the most dynamic Lithuanian jazz musician, constantly migrating between European festivals and jazz clubs, building new creative partnerships all over Europe. As a soloist, Mockūnas has performed with Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra as well as St. Christopher and Klaipėda chamber orchestras and Chordos String Quartet. Mockūnas’ discography amounts to around 70 albums. He is a co-founder and co-strategist of an independent record label NoBusiness Records, which was awarded the Vilnius Jazz Prize for contributions to Lithuanian jazz in 2020.
https://mockunas.bandcamp.com