Weekend Guitar Trio (Estonia):
Robert Jürjendal - guitar, e-bow, looper, Roland VG-8
Tõnis Leemets - guitar, e-bow, looper
Mart Soo - guitar, guitar synthesizer, e-bow, looper, Roland VG-8
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Weekend Guitar Trio (WGT) was formed in 1993 after Robert Jürjendal's
participation at a Guitar Craft Course in Germany.
It consists of 3 guitarists: Robert Jürjendal, Tõnis Leemets and
Mart Soo, with backgrounds in classical guitar/Guitar Craft method,
progressive club music/electronic music, and jazz/free improvisation,
respectively.
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WGT produces composed and improvised music for 3 electric guitars &
live electronics; it has performed at jazz festivals in Estonia, Finland,
France, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Sweden; contemporary music festivals
in Tallinn, Estonia and Lüneburg, Germany; and at a guitar competition
in Lausanne, Switzerland, where it won the 1st prize in the 'jazz and
contemporary' category.
Recordings
WGT has 4 albums to their credit and is featured on many more. The Estonian
Radio and Estonian state TV have produced numerous programs about the
Weekend Guitar Trio. The music of WGT has also been on air on the BBC
and other European radio stations.
Collaborations
WGT has played on stage with top Estonian DJs and the British DJ-duo 'Spring
Heel Jack', percussionists, players of traditional instruments ('kannel'
/zither and bagpipe) and vocalist Priit Lehto. In 2002 WGT started to
work with the Gregorian chant ensemble Vox Clamantis. In 2003 WGT played
several concerts with David Rothenberg (clarinet, live electronics) and
John Wieczorek (percussion) from USA.
Compositions
WGT has performed 'La Speranza' by Swiss composer Giancarlo Nicolai with
an international guitar orchestra; also pieces by Estonian composers Tõnu
Kõrvits, Anti Marguste, Jaan Rääts, Mirjam Tally and Toivo Tulev, written
specially for the Weekend Guitar Trio. In 1999 the new music festival
'NYYD' commissioned works from all 3 members of WGT; in 2002 young composers
from Lüneburg, Germany, wrote new pieces for the group.
The Press Says:
"The biggest surprise of the festival was the Weekend Guitar Trio;
incorporating an arsenal of effects, a variety of extended techniques
and a few choice pieces of peripheral hardware, the WGT created striking
soundscapes that lingered in the mind long after their set was over."
(Bill Shoemaker, JazzTimes)
© Jûratë Kuèinskaitë
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