RAVENJAZZ

What Is Jazz?

We often stumble upon this question. It's neither by choice nor by accident.

Our approach to jazz wasn't planned; it evolved naturally, no donors were required. It's also probably inevitable that our concepts vary a lot —a notion initially quite unsettling, but now... Now we're oukey, because we're bringing RAVENJAZZ out of Lithuania and into Denmark. If you're around Aalborg July 17th... Let's meet here.

It's going to be an epic night spent together with our friends Kemaca . Have you heard about them? We'll be playing together! A night of very different jazz indeed.

Defining Vilnius JJAZZ Ensemble

Many challenged us to define our jazz style and identify our target audience. It was a tall order. We had a traditional jazz big band program recorded, were in the midst of recording an acoustic album featuring five saxophones and one trombone, and had been engaged in projects like Vilnius Poker and writing the Deadly Dance album—all targeting different audiences.

Yet, amidst this diversity, there was a unifying thread. For musicians, articulating that 'something' is more challenging than you might imagine. Finally, our leader, Jievaras, broke it down during an interview:

“I think jazz is music played by jazz musicians. Jazz musicians have a particular way of playing, thinking, and understanding music. Even if they’re composing a pop ballad, it’s going to sound distinct.”

This insight helped us better define who we are—until Jievaras (trombone), Simonas (baritone sax), and Domantas (drums) conceived RAVENJAZZ.

What is RAVENJAZZ?

Technologies are transforming the sound of the Vilnius JJAZZ Ensemble — that was our headline introducing RAVENJAZZ to the world, signaling a shift into electronics, sensory percussion, and instant looping.

"We didn’t just sit around a round table deciding to create something new," Jievaras explains.

"It started with a casual conversation about music—yes, there was a round table—and then Domas brought up sensory percussion technology."

"Sensory Percussion technology was on my radar even before the RAVENJAZZ concept," Domantas adds. "But I always felt like I needed a little nudge to go ahead and invest in it."

"Moreover, simply purchasing the sensors wasn’t enough; it was crucial to learn their use and, most importantly, understand how and where they can be applied. It’s not like buying a new drum set; these sensors are far from universal and wouldn’t suit our other albums."

When asked about the sound of these new drums, the creators describe it as 'varied.'

"Once, in a hotel in Poland, I recorded a spinning wheel of fortune," recounts Jievaras, "I sent that sound to Domas, and now he incorporates it into his drumming. And that's just the beginning.

Then Simas, with his deep roots in electronic music, adds his flair, transforming the soundscape even more. Without me on stage with my trombone, you’d never guess what we're hearing originates from this instrument," assures Jievaras, the album's co-author.

This album, infused with dance rhythms, rave, and electronics, certainly surprises. RAVENJAZZ marks a significant departure from everything the ensemble has previously undertaken.

Dear folks, as a manager, for now, all I can reveal is that I know what our next album will look like post-RAVENJAZZ, but as for 2025, when so many creative minds are tossed into the mix, the outcome is anyone's guess, but RAVENJAZZ, tt’s right up my alley, a real joy to listen to. Our ensemble members continually draw from new experiences and embrace musical challenges, all of which resonate deeply in this latest album.

Simonas, known from projects like Sheep Effect and Sheep Got Waxed, is not only the brain behind the compositions but also the producer of the RAVENJAZZ album. When asked if this is his best work, he dodged gracefully: "If I didn’t enjoy studio work, all my albums would fail. This profession demands focus, patience, and passion."

"I don’t presume to rank my work as the best or worst. At heart, I'm all about the music. I don't fixate on any one genre but relish the process. The final verdict? I leave that to the listeners."

And so will we, we will leave it to the listeners.