Jugendchor «Jazz Island», Lithuania
The a cappella group “Jazz Island” was founded shortly after Lithuanian independence in 1991. It was then that Artūras Novikas launched the country’s first ever jazz studio and began to teach singing. As someone who loves vocal experimentation, he had his ensemble learn not just how to sing in harmony but also how to imitate musical instruments like the violin, trumpet and drums. Thus, many a shy teenager became an audacious impro artist. Over the years, Novikas’s arrangements became more ambitious and the group’s repertoire expanded to include blues, classic and pop as well as innovative interpretations of Lithuanian folk music. Several “Jazz Island” generations have since come and gone and many former members are now professional musicians. Besides winning numerous awards at home and frequently being invited to represent Lithuania on the international stage, “Jazz Island” has also garnered acclaim abroad and has performed at both the European Parliament in Brussels and at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.