Kestutis Vaginis was an initiater and leader of many international projects while still studying at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and the Prince Claus Conservatorium and Amsterdam School of the Arts (the Netherlands), and the Manhattan School of Music in New York. As a member and flutist of several collectives, Vaiginis has performed his compositions in many countries, including the USA, Germany (USA), Turkey, Brazil, Azerbaijans, Georgia, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Brazil, Azerbaijans, Georgia, Georgia, and Lithuania. Vaiginis began composing music for big bands during his college years. He formed Independent Artists Ensemble in 2008, a Lithuanian youth band. The musician performed his compositions last year with the German State Youth Jazz Orchestra. This concert was held at the National Philharmonic Hall and broadcast live on LRT Klasika Kultura, Eurovision and Eurovision channels. The President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck was present at this concert. He also presented the Vaiginis European Cultural Foundation’s Europamusicale music Prize to one European musician each year. Vaiginis, who has been a winner of numerous national and international competitions as well as the Grand Prix of Birstonas Jazz Festival (2010), is one of Lithuania’s most talented and productive jazz musicians. Vaiginis also participates in other types of projects; he was a part of the contemporary music festival Gaida. His former and current stage partners include jazz coryphees such as Hernan Romero and Ed Howard, Adam Cruz and Burak Bedikyan. Caner Kaptan, Herbie Kopf and Joon Haavisto. He also has a list that includes Indonesian, Korean, and Italian musicians. The musician is a member of Lithuanian-Latvian-Estonian Tree Stones Quartet and Dainius Pulauskas Group. He was a guest musician and leader of several collectives, including Nord Sea Jazz (Rotterdam (the Netherlands), London (UK), Ottawa, Canada), Cape Town (Republic of South Africa), Istanbul, Turkey, and Hong Kong. Regularly, the saxophonist takes part in Lithuanian Jazz Festivals. His discography includes three albums, and his compositions are included in many Lithuanian music collections. Steve Wilson, an American saxophonist of illustrious stature, said that Vaiginis’ Unexpected Selections, which were recorded with the acclaimed New Yorkers, is his vision. from http://www.kestutisvaiginis.com
