Double bassist, composer, band leader and producer Claude Tchamitchian, one of the major figures in contemporary European jazz, appeared at the Vilnius Jazz in 2013 alongside the French jazz luminaries, Andy Emler’s Megaoctet. This year, the versatile artist returns to Vilnius to present his solo project In Spirit. This marks the culmination of his musical journey spanning decades – a deeply personal confession that invites listeners to immerse themselves in the artist’s boundless exploration of new forms of expression and the unique beauty of his music.

Tchamitchian belongs to a generation of musicians who emerged in the early 1990s and who, following in the footsteps of Louis Sclavis, fundamentally transformed the French new jazz. In Spirit is the double bassist’s third solo project. However, for the first time in his career, he composed the music based on a pre-conceived vision. According to the artist, this allowed him to make the most of the instrument’s essential qualities. In his previous solo works, Jeu d’enfants and Another Childhood, Tchamitchian’s musical vision took shape during the creative process.

It is also interesting to note that In Spirit was inspired by a very special instrument – the double bass of the legendary French jazz bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark (1944–1998), which came into Tchamitchian’s possession. This coincided with the 20th anniversary of the death of one of Europe’s most influential jazz masters and symbolically honoured his memory. Tchamitchian had the instrument specially tuned according to his own system for the project, recorded the album In Spirit on this double bass and continues to perform actively on it to this day.

Born in Paris into a family of musicians with Armenian roots, Claude developed an interest in jazz, rock and classical music at an early age. He studied double bass at the Avignon Conservatoire, where he met French jazz icons André Jaume and Rémi Charmasson and recorded his first albums with them. In 1993, he released his first solo album, Jeu d’enfants, which laid the foundations for his idiosyncratic style.

Lyrical expression and intimacy, an understanding of the instrument’s physical properties and its potential for emotional expression, a subtle balance between inner focus and technical mastery, between expression and the pursuit of strict form, and a synthesis of tradition and modernity – over the decades, the double bassist has honed his style by experimenting with new forms, techniques and musical language.

Tchamitchian is not only an exceptional instrumentalist, but also a talented band leader and composer, who leads ensembles of various line-ups – from duos to large ensembles – as well as composes music for dance projects and the theatre.

One of the cornerstones of his colourful career was the septet Lousadzak, formed in 1993, which later grew into an orchestra and an 18-piece ensemble. The group’s work blends elements of free jazz, Armenian music and contemporary classical music. Alongside Lousadzak, Tchamitchian founded the production and record label Émouvance, which has been organising the annual Les Emouvantes festival of contemporary jazz, improvisational music and experimental art in Marseille since 2012.

Throughout his career, the double bassist has led ensembles of various line-ups and sizes, and has supported, and continues to support, many colleagues in their projects. He has collaborated with numerous leading figures in jazz and improvisational music, including Eric Watson, Andy Sheppard, Dave Liebman, André Jaume, Marc Ducret, Matteo Maneri, Michel Portal, Ray Anderson, Henri Texier, Phil Minton, Kent Carter, John Tchicaï, Jimmy Guiffre, Joe McPhee and Daunik Lazro.