The group formed prior to this competition on the initiative of two resourceful vocalists. Educated by Vladimir Chekasin both girls decided to independently proceed with their search for idiosyncratic music vocabulary and original formats of self-expression.

All members of the group have participated in Chekasin’s projects Ethnic Process 2016 and Ethnic Waves 2018, appeared in competitions and different festivals.

For the competition finals the Quintet presents Viktorija and Greta’s composition Train.

Greta Šimkutė is one of the founders and leaders of the group. Charismatic and mirthful performer was born and grew up in Klaipėda, a city that nurtures jazz traditions. She made her first steps in music at the Jazz Department of Jeronimas Kačinskas Music School.

With her heart conquered by traditional jazz and Bossa nova, the vocalist does not limit herself to a particular style. In spring she tried her hand in a new alternative rock group MORII merging different music styles – from rock, progressive metal to jazz. The group won second place in the competition within Alternative Music Festival Rumshk.

This year Greta graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of Applied Sciences where she studied vocal, and entered the Contemporary Music and Improvisation program at the LAMT.

She is busy performing in Lithuania with Jazz Duet, Retro Band and G Band. Greta is testing her vocal and creative ambitions in Dvi iš Jos project.

Viktorija Raibužytė is the group’s second leader and mastermind. She started music studies at the Studio of Popular Singing in M.K. Oginskis School of Arts in Plungė. In 2014, she completed the classical vocal program at the LAMT as a free listener, and this year – the popular music vocal studies at the University of Applied Sciences.

As an “Erasmus” student she had an opportunity to study at London College of Music, where she formed jazz project The Immigrants.

During her study years she got fascinated with blues, formed expeditiously progressing blues group BluesBerries. In addition to focusing on project Dvi iš Jos she also performs with group Mannazz.

Anastasija Šanina started playing the piano in Algirdas Music School in Vilnius, later continued her education in the Rhythmic Music Department at the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies of the University of Applied Sciences.

Currently, she collaborates with vocalist Elžbieta Oleškevič. Their project Jazz Vibrations earned great acclaim at the “White Piano Hall” in Vilnius and also Trans Misje 2018 International Art Festival (Rzeszów, Poland).

Experimental music advocate, bassist and composer Dominykas Žernys graduated from the University of Applied Sciences last year and currently furthers his education at the LAMT. In the past, he has been a finalist of the VJYP as a member of Nostrum and Brave Noises.

The bassist was heard in improvised music projects VR Quartet, Strings of Earth, Soul Biscuits and Mindaugas Stumbras Ensemble. He focuses on composing and recording his music.

Kristupas Kmitas studied at the Balys Dvarionas Music School where he got involved with jazz while playing in the school’s Big Band. In 2015, he graduated from the Rhythmic Music Department at the University of Applied Sciences. Currently, he seeks Master Degree in improvisation at the LAMT.

Kmitas collaborates with theatre community, performs music in theatre productions; has taken part in various festivals including Vilnius Mama Jazz, Granatos Live, Bliuzo Naktys, Vilnius Music Week and Karklė Festival.

The drummer is open to an array of music: works with Pilnatys, Baltasis Kiras and In albedo, as well as in contemporary jazz formations Mindaugas Stumbras Ensemble and N-Atomic Trio.