Lembit Saarsalu 75: S.A.M. "Magus nukrus" • Sügisjazz 2023
Lembit Saarsalu 75: S.A.M. „Magus nukrus“ (sweet sadness · mellow blues · pure sadness · sweet pain · sweet hurt. musical pain. beloved pain. fresh torment. good pain. pure pain. Bittersweet)
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2023 19.00 Niguliste Museum
The Trio S.A.M., consisting of Lembit Saarsalu, Ain Agan, and Andre Maaker, gave their first concert at Jazzkaar's Christmas Jazz in 2012. Now, 10+ years later, we honour Lembit Saarsalu's 75th birthday and present the trio's fresh album "Ballaadid" (Ballads).
Lembit Saarsalu's radiant playing technique has inspired many generations of musicians in Estonia. The tone of his saxophone, his stylish and intricately detailed rendition of jazz classics and folk-inspired songs, powerful energy, and his ability to tell a story with each phrase are to be admired. Lembit Saarsalu debuted at the Tallinn International Jazz Festival on 1965 when he was only 17 years old. Since then he worked both in pop and jazz ensembles, but in the 1980s Lembit dedicated himself to jazz, becoming one of Estonia's first jazz ambassadors to the world. His long and exciting collaboration with a pianist Leonid Vintskevich was particularly noteworthy. They performed in the United States' Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, and numerous other concerts and festivals across Europe, Asia, and Africa. In addition, Lembit Saarsalu has played with the legendary vibraphonist Lionel Hampton himself, also with Elvin Jones, Christian McBride and Kevin Mahogany, to name few.
Ain Agan, a prominent Estonian guitarist, is sought after in various musical styles, from duos to big bands. He has performed numerous concerts in duos alongside saxophonists Arvo Pilliroog, Raivo Tafenau, Manuel Dunkel, and Lembit Saarsalu, as well as successful collaborations with guitarists Oleg Pissarenko and Teemu Viinikainen and his dear friend Riho Sibul. Ain Agan has composed original music for his Estonian-Finnish quartet and has participated in groups such as "Eesti keeled," Estonian Dream Bigband, Raivo Tafenau Quintet, and more. Thanks to him, several large projects have come to fruition, including the Viljandi Guitar Festival celebrating its sixteenth birthday. Regarding the upcoming concert, Ain notes: "We'll make use of the rich possibilities of guitars, blending different tonalities with Lembit's soprano and tenor saxophones. You'll hear songs from our new album."
Guitarist, composer, and arranger Andre Maaker is an author who crosses genre boundaries with an unique ease, performing on jazz, folk, rock, and chamber music stages. Maaker was one of the composers for Jazzkaar 2023 opening concert "Kitarriookean“ (Guitar Ocean). He works as a solo artist and is part of various ensembles such as Bad Habits Trio, Trio Romansid, the guitar-driven Triller with Ain Agan and Vaiko Eplik. He frequently collaborates with artists like Jaan Sööt, Liisi Koikson, Kadri Voorand, Sofia Rubina, and the Prezioso String Quartet. Andre's poetic Nordic soundscape is accessible and dear to the listeners' hearts.
Koosseis:
Lembit Saarsalu – saksofonid
Ain Agan – kitarrid
Andre Maaker – kitarrid
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