Latest Quarantine Collabs in French Press

Never thought I’d appear in French press so soon since the tour at the beginning of 2020! ????

Happy to see the saxophone sextet by Jérôme Masco and project Exchange of Happiness, led by friend Félix Robin music, where I had the pleasure to record a tune of mine “Whiskey Wine”????????, to be featured in Le Républicain – Rédaction de Langon newspaper. It was a lot of fun to record the compositions and connect with great musicians. Love the French spirit! They will always find a way to connect and celebrate that.

“Whiskey Wine” by Toms Rudzinskis (read more here)
Félix Robin music on the vibraphone, Louis Laville on upright bass and Simon Lacouture on the drums.

Lockdown/Quarantine Collaborations: Jérôme Masco "Villa Llanquín”

A snippet from my solo from one of the many Lockdown/Quarantine Collaborations! It was fun to join Jérôme's international woodwind sextet to play his latest composition "Villa Llanquín”. As always, nice to ‘meet’ and connect with new musicians and play something different!???? Olga Amelchenko from Russia on alto sax???? Toms Rudzinskis from Latvia on alto sax???? Patricia López saxofonista y flautista from Uruguay on tenor sax???? Jérôme Masco Music from France on tenor sax & composition, producing???? Dawid Toklowicz Music from Poland on bass clarinet???? Kira Linn from Germany on baritone saxAfter this live-from-home recording session I’m looking forward to see you all and play with you in person! Thanks to Jérôme for inviting!Go and check out the full HD version on Jérôme’s YouTube https://youtu.be/YPEOFMS2LOU and Facebook!???? Henri SELMER Paris Saxophones Gottsu Co.,Ltd. Gottsu Latinoamerica RIGOTTI Gold Reeds ASTON Microphones

Posted by Toms Rudzinskis Music on Trešdiena, 2020. gada 13. May

Jérôme Masco Saxophone Sextet, composition “Villa Llanquín” full video on YouTube

???? Olga Amelchenko from Russia on alto sax
???? Toms Rudzinskis from Latvia on alto sax
???? Patricia López saxofonista y flautista from Uruguay on tenor sax
???? Jérôme Masco Music from France on tenor sax & composition, producing
???? Dawid Toklowicz Music from Poland on bass clarinet
???? Kira Linn from Germany on baritone sax

Can’t wait for things to settle down and us going back on road! France!

Here’s an excerpt from the article as posted by Jérôme:

“During the confinement, La Réole native musicians showed creativity”

“Musicians from La Réole region have published several must-hear projects. One of the bands, Exchange of Happiness, has published several videos inviting musicians playing from their homes. The result: thausends+ of views during the confinement.
Jérôme Mascotto – also a member of the collective – did his best with the spare time. He’s published three compositions with one particularity: nothing but woodwind. No drum, guitar, nor the bass. A real challenge for composing, without rehearsal. Each musician received her/his part, combining solos and accompaniment.
In the last video, musicians came from all over the world (Russia, Uruguay, Germany, Latvia and Poland). A fantastic outcome!”

Memories from Summer 2019 in Riga, Latvia

Recently published two video memories on my social media both from playing in Riga this summer and testing the big stage waters in Latvia with ABYSS. Performing at the Riga City Festival Jazz show and Latvian National Library Centenary Gala show – a special opportunity and honour.

Looking forward to see both of the videos released in full this year!

“Pablo’s insomnia” by a dear friend and great musician Tuomo Uusitalo at National Library of Latvia 100th celebration. One of this summer’s highlights with Ilona Kudina (fulte), Tuomo Uusitalo (piano), Reinis Ozolins (bass), Andris Buikis (drums).

Thanks to Ilona Kudina, Augusts Zilberts for organising – and everybody who came out to listen, enjoy and celebrate our castle of light National Library of Latvia 100th Birthday ????????

Thanks for the video to ???? Edmunds Mickus! His short documentary on the show and more of music can be found here: https://youtu.be/KBLMbaFmYzE

The full concert was broadcasted by Latvijas Radio 3. You can listen to it online here ???? https://replay.lsm.lv/…/noklausies-lnb-simtgades-svinibu-no…

Moment form this Summer’s Riga City Fest with ABYSS. On stage this time with Arne Braun (guitar), Povel Widestrand (piano), Josh Ginsburg (bass), Fabian Rösch (drums). Thanks to videographer Elīna Lieljukse for capturing the nicer shots!


To support ABYSS ???? visit http://ej.uz/supportabyss crowdfunder and be the first to hear the new album and see us play in your city! Looking forward to recording this music in less than a month at the Blackbird Music Studio!

Documentary on Latvian National Library Centennary Gala show, August 31, 2019

Click for video

Video documentary by ???? Edmunds Mickus on the Latvian National Library Centennary Gala show “Latvian chamber music and improvisation” held on August 31, 2019.

It was my pleasure to play the new “ABYSS” material as well as music by dear friends and amazing musicians Tuomo Uusitalo, Ilona Kudiņa, Andris Buiķis and Arta Jēkabsone. Performing with Ilona Kudiņa (flute), Tuomo Uusitalo (piano), Reinis Ozoliņš (bass), Andris Buiķis (drums) joined by Una Stade (voice), Rūta Sīpola (flute) and Grieta Sīpola (kokle).

Classical chamber music performed by Ilona Kudiņa (flute), Paula Šūmane (violin) and Ventis Zilberts (piano).

Thanks to Ilona Kudiņa and Augusts Zilberts for organising – and everybody who came out to listen, enjoy and celebrate our castle of light ????????

The concert was broadcasted by Latvijas Radio 3 ???? listen to it online here: https://replay.lsm.lv/…/noklausies-lnb-simtgades-svinibu-no…

ABYSS live at Riga City Festival – Rīgas Svētki 2019

Video captured by a friend and great musician Ilona Kudiņa. A special feeling when friends and colleagues come to support. I’ll be returning to Riga on August 31 to play with more of the material and with great Latvian musicians at the Latvian National Library Centenary Gala. Looking forward!

On stage this time with Arne Braun (guitar), Povel Widestrand (piano), Josh Ginsburg (bass), Fabian Rösch (drums). Videographer Elīna Lieljukse.

Photo courtesy: Rigas Svētki 2019 Facebook, Ilona Kudiņa

ABYSS first video trailer is out!

Happy to publish to a wider audience the first ABYSS video trailer featuring

Toms Rudzinskis (LV) – compositions, sax
Igor Osypov (UA) – guitar
Povel Widestrand (SWE) – piano
Tom Berkmann (DE) – bass
Fabian Rösch (DE) – drums

Filmed at Side Ways Series, BERLIN.

Excited to continue this project, play, tour, record and more! Stay tuned for more!

– Toms