Arvydas Kazlauskas

Arvydas Kazlauskas (b. 1982) is one of the leading saxophone players in Latvia. Trained as an academic musician, Arvydas doesn‘t limit himself only to academic/classical music, and is known for his creative curiosity. Arvydas is always up for unexpected musical adventures resulting in collaborations with musicians of other genres and explorations of yet-unknown musical territories. Arvydas Kazlauskas’ playing has been described as having “…exceptionally high qualities in sound, articulation and emotional nuances.”… (A.Znotiņš, Diena).  A.Kazlauskas was born in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he received his basic musical education. Then he graduated from Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music in Riga, Latvia, with additional Erasmus studies at Universitat der Kunste Berlin with Johannes Ernst. Arvydas has participated in a number of masterclasses with such artists as Arno Bornkamp, Claude Delangle, Vincent David, Joel Versavaud and Daniel Gauthier. A.Kazlauskas is a prize winner of number of international saxophone competitions: The International Hillar Kareva Contest for Saxophonists and Trumpeters ( 2003, Tallinn; 1st prize), Jurjanu Andrejs 3d International Competition “Woodwind Instruments” (2005, Riga; Grand Prix), 3rd international saxophone competition “Alps – Adria – Danube” (2005, Nova Gorica; 2nd prize).  Arvydas has collaborated with singers Gunta Davidcuka and Baiba Berke, pianists Reinis Zarins and Agnese Eglina, Sinfonietta Riga string quartet, Sinfonietta Riga woodwind quintet, vocal group Putni, Dirt Nonet, DJ Kri, organist Balys Vaitkus, and state choir “Latvia”.  In 2016 Arvydas founded Atomos Saxophone Quartet, and the ensemble has since given premier performances of pieces by Jachin Pousson, Andris Dzenītis, Oskars Herliņš, Edgars Mākens, Madara Pētersone, Ritvars Garoza, Dāvis Jurka, Platon Buravicky, Toms Rudzinskis and others. Several of them were recorded in quartet’s debut CD “Sharp Green”, released in 2024 under SKANI. The album was nominated for Zelta Mikrofons 2025 award in the category The Album Of The Year. A.Kazlauskas is also a member of electroacoustic improvisation bands Woodpecker Project and Endless Roar. The latter’s debut LP “Rush Hush” (Jersika Records, 2020) and joint album with pianist Vestard Shimkus Acclivity (Jersika Records, 2022) was nominated for Zelta Mikrofons award in the category Best Jazz or Funk album. As a soloist Arvydas has performed with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Municipal Symphonic Band of Seville, Latvian State chamber orchestra Sinfonietta Riga, Symphonic Band Riga, Orchestra Sinfonia Concertante and and St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra. As a chamber musician or a soloist he has performed in Poland, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Louxembourg, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria and russia.  He has given masterclasses around Latvia as well as abroad: in Udine and Milan (Italy), Vilnius (Lithuania), Dublin (Ireland), Helsinki (Finland), Auckland (New Zealand), Jerusalem (Israel), Tallinn (Estonia) and Guillena (Spain). For three years he was a saxophone teacher in the Erasmus Intensive Student Programme Brass & Jazz (2011-2013 Riga, Latvia) and for a number of years he was also an artistic director of the international student festival Riga Saxophone Days. Arvydas Kazlauskas has given premiere perfomances of music by Jachin Pousson, Linda Leimane, Gabriel Jackson, Edgars Raginskis, Ilona Breģe, Rolands Kronlaks as well as saxophone concertos by Andris Dzenītis, Juste Janulyte and Vineta Līce and pieces for saxophone and choir by Līga Celma-Kursiete and Gabriel Jackson. In 2014 Andris Dzenītis’ saxophone concerto E(GO), premiered by A.Kazlauskas together with Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (cond. Normunds Sne) received Latvian “Great Music Award” in the category “The New Piece Of The Year”. In 2017 A.Kazlauskas was nominated for the Latvian “Great Music Award” in the category “Musician of the year". In 2019 A.Kazlauskas has recorded a “Symphony No.19 for baritone saxophone and orchestra” by Fridrich Bruk together with Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (cond. M.Kupčs), released by Toccata Classics. In 2020 he has recorded a double free improvisation LP “Purvs” together with Lithuanian jazz saxophonist Liudas Mockūnas (reviewed internationally by Downbeat, Jazzwise, The Wire and other publications), released by Jersika Records. Arvydas is a docent of saxophone at Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music and saxophone section concertmaster at Orchestra RIGA.