The evening dedicated to Japanese jazz opens with an unexpected trio, uniting Lithuanian G. Preisaitė and the Japanese musicians. The Lithuanian pianist, improviser, composer and producer, who studies in Denmark, and her trio partners share a broad musical horizon, a predilection for experimentation and common musical acquaintances. Gintė has just toured Japan, where she collaborated with colleagues of the members of this trio.

Gintė Preisaitė has been studying at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen since 2020 and is an active participant in the improvised music scene there. After receiving an education as classical musician at the J. Naujalis Music Gymnasium in Kaunas (Lithuania), and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania), she turned decisively to electronic, noise, improvised and jazz music, and began to take an interest in various transformations of acoustic sound and sonic experiments.

She often presents electroacoustic music solo projects abroad, releases solo albums. She performs in various duos and trios, is a member of Michaela Turcerova’s Doudouči Ensemble and Dalius Naujokaitis’ Naujo Orchestra. Lately, she has been devoting a lot of time to trio Treen, with Danish saxophonist Amalie Dahl and German drummer Jan Philipp. The trio recently released an album and toured Germany.

Gintė has collaborated in various projects with Simon Forchhammer, Petter Asbjørnsen, Asger Thomsen, Håkon Berre, Kenny Wollesen, Niels Lyhne Løkkegaard, Devin Grey, Gianluca Elia, Lola Hammerich, Maggie Nicols, Viktoria Søndergaard, etc.

The improviser has also drawn attention in Lithuania on several occasions: she appeared as a soloist in the Improdimensija concert series, and in 2021 she made her debut at the Vilnius Jazz festival in D. Naujokaitis’ project Nojo Airlines.

In addition, Preisaitė teaches, as well as curates and organises music events.

Sachiko M has been playing samplers since 1994 and earned wide international interest for experimenting with sine waves, which she documented in a solo album (1999). She has become much in demand in European music festivals.

In 2003, she won the Golden Nica Award at the prestigious Ars Electronica Awards in Austria for her album Astro Twin, recorded with Ami Yoshida. She was also honoured with the Best Composition Award at the 55th Japan Record Awards.

Sachiko M is a member of the experimental electronic music duo Filament, the electronics trio I.S.O., a duo with Toshimaru Nakamura, the duo Cosmos with Ami Yoshida, and has collaborated with many international musicians. She has released numerous albums with Otomo Yoshihide, and has collaborated with T. Nakamura, Martin Tétreault, Yasuhiro Otani, Taku Sugimoto, Philip Samartzis, David Sylvian and other artists.

Sachiko M creates sound installations and is interested in fusion projects between music and other arts.

Aikawa Hitomi studied percussion at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. In 2007, she won the International Percussion Competition in Bulgaria. She plays not only jazz but also contemporary academic and classical music.

Her distinctive style is best revealed in her solo projects. Her recital was broadcast on NHK-FM in Japan.