Arvydas Jofė
Numbered among the most gifted Lithuanian drummers, Arvydas Jofė is distinguished for his exceptional energetic drive, subtle and harmonious blend of acoustic and electronic percussion, with occasional addition of his striking vocalisations. He is equally brilliant in performing with ensembles and in solo programmes that he has produced since 1992. As a drummer and composer, he began his career as member of various local rock groups and became involved in jazz in 1976. Since then he has performed with many of the best-known names in Lithuanian jazz. In recent years he has frequently appeared with the Lithuanian Jazz Trio, Labutis Jazz Quartet. He is a member of Artūras Chalikovas' group Jazz Brothers and drummer with the Kaunas Big Band. He is also active as a composer and teacher.
Jūratė Kučinskaitė
to be continued... - Don't Care
Saulius Šiaučiulis Quartet - Marjo
Vladimir Chekasin Big Band - Suite Adoration
Biography
Arvydas Jofė (b. 1957) is one of the most creative Lithuanian drummers, whose style is characterized by exceptional vitality and resourceful combination of acoustic and electronic drums enhanced by his unique voice. Besides performing with different groups, he has also given a number of solo programs.
He learned piano at Kaunas Music School and started playing drums at the age of 14. His musical career started with rock groups Bildukai, Nuogi ant slenksčio, Kadencija; later on he played with the ensemble Oktava. While a student at Klaipėda Department of the Lithuanian State Conservatory (1975-79), he started playing jazz with Saulius Šiaučiulis Ensemble and Pranas Narušis Big Band. After graduation he taught at Klaipėda Department and led the big band Versmė.
In 1983 he returned to Kaunas and played with the electronic music group Argo. He was a member of Romualdas Grabštas Quartet in 1984-86, and of Vladimir Chekasin Quartet in 1986-92. The drummer has been collaborating with Vytautas Labutis, Oleg Molokoyedov, Gintautas Abarius, Aleksandr Fedotov, Eugenijus Kanevičius, Artūras Chalikovas and others. In 1992 he made his debut as a soloist. He has performed across Lithuania and abroad, with different groups and solo.
In recent years Arvydas Jofė has been playing with the Lithuanian Jazz Trio, the group granted in 2004 the LT Identity award of the Lithuanian Institute for promoting Lithuanian jazz. With the Lithuanian Jazz Trio the drummer has been featured by the Jazz Expo in Genoa, Italy (2004), and the International Music Fair MIDEM in Cannes, France (2005). He is also a member of Jazz Brothers, led by Artūras Chalikovas, and a drummer of Kaunas Big Band.
© Jūratė Kučinskaitė