Two outstanding Lithuanian musicians – saxophonist Vytautas Labutis and accordionist Andrius Balachovičius – join forces to create a vibrant and colorful musical experience where jazz improvisation meets the expressive world of the accordion. Their program features original compositions and imaginative arrangements, forming a fresh connection between jazz and contemporary accordion music.
Formed in 2018, the duo has performed at Vilnius Mama Jazz, the Birštonas Accordion Festival, Vilnius Street Music Festival, Tauragė Jazz Days, and in venues such as St. Catherine’s Church, Užutrakis Manor, Vilnius University, and more.
Andrius Balachovičius is an active concert artist and multiple prize-winner of national and international accordion competitions. He has performed across Europe, appeared in major Lithuanian concert halls, and collaborated with the Modus quintet, the Lithuanian Armed Forces Big Band, actress Nijolė Narmontaitė, saxophonist Vytautas Labutis, and others. He regularly works as a studio musician and teaches at the B. Dvarionas Music School in Vilnius.
Vytautas Labutis is one of Lithuania’s most prominent jazz musicians – a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improviser. Over the decades, he has worked with Petras Vyšniauskas, Vladimir Chekasin, Vladimir Tarasov, Dainius Pulauskas, Eugenijus Kanevičius, Arkady Gotesman, and many others. He has participated in international projects such as Jazz Baltica, the New European Saxophone Quartet, and Kaunas Jazz, released three solo albums, and appeared on more than 50 recordings. Vytautas also composes for theater and film and is an active teacher and mentor to young musicians.
