Vestard Shimkus / Endless Roar: Acclivity

Endless Roar is one of the most vivid bands in the recent Latvian improvised music scene. Formed in 2014 the trio, saxophonist Arvydas Kazlauskas, double bassist Stanislav Yudin and drummer Jachin Pousson, ventured through various genres (e.g. ambient, electroacoustic, rock etc.) before diving into free improvisation. In 2021 Endless Roar met up with internationally acclaimed classical pianist Vestard Shimkus. Eventually, the collaboration between Endless Road and Shimkus was documented with the album Acclivity (Jersika Records, 2022), recorded at the legendary Latvian Radio Studio.

Acclivity swings energetically between classical music and jazz. Such a confluence of the two genres isn't something new, even in the Baltic region. Works by legendary Latvian pianist and composer Raimonds Pauls or the collaboration between eminent Lithuanian reeds player Liudas Mockūnas and classical pianist Petras Geniušas are only two of many classical/jazz examples that come to immediately to mind. That said, the collaboration between Endless Roar and Shimkus does not sound like merely a copy/paste project.

Acclivity explodes with the aggressive, loud and intense free jazz track "Drill," bringing memories of freewheeling records by the ICP Orchestra when Misha Mengelberg was on board. Roaring sax, piano bashing and intense drumming with pulse-keeping welcome the listener. However, Acclivity's dynamic range is not stuck on the loudest setting for the entire album. Even "Drill" winds down while highlighting fragile upright bass bowing.

Listening to Acclivity composition-by-composition reveals a wide palette of influences and musical ideas. On some parts, such as "Vanishing Steps," simple and catchy drum patterns blends with swingy double bass lines. On others, such as "Can You Take Me Please to Sirius," droning textures interweave with classical piano passages. Shimkus, a talented pianist, forges a key connection between jazz and classical genres, his style embracing both the jazz avant-garde of Craig Taborn and Cecil Taylor with an approach more reminiscent of classical pianists such as Rachmaninoff.

Acclivity isn't as experimental or groundbreaking as Krzysztof Penderecki's iconic composition "Actions for Free Jazz Orchestra." However, it discloses a relatively eloquent, vivid and memorable collision of classical and jazz schools. It's interesting to note that all eight compositions recorded here were spontaneously composed yet they are so seamlessly played that they sound as though the material had been prepared before hand. It's a superb example of harmonious, professional and captivating improvisation.

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