Karolis Šarkus and Domantas Pūras – “Roots and Currents”

On July 4, we invite you to experience the meeting of roots and currents—the voice of the saxophone and electronic textures! The evening will feature experimental music and improvisations inspired by Lithuanian folk motifs.

“Roots and Currents” is a live dialogue between two elements. During the concert, the voice of the saxophone and electronic textures will weave into an ever-shifting soundscape, an intersection of earth and movement, tradition and the future, form and spontaneity. The roots symbolize acoustic sound, the natural breath of the instrument, and its musical origins, while the currents represent electronics and a continuous flow of energy. Here, music is born in the moment—born of listening, reaction, and improvisation, allowing each piece to unfold at its own pace. It is an experience where organic sound meets technological flow, inviting the listener to immerse themselves in a vibrant, unpredictable sonic journey.

Karolis Šarkus is a saxophonist, composer, and one of the most active, progressive young voices on the Lithuanian jazz scene. His music blends the language of contemporary jazz with a clear melodic sensibility, while his saxophone playing is characterized by a warm, rich tone and flawless technique. Karolis is a laureate of the Premio Internazionale Massimo Urbani, a recipient of the Young Music Performer Prize from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, and a winner of the Baltic Young Composers’ Big Band Composition Competition. In 2023, he was invited to represent Lithuania in the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra, and in 2021, he released his debut album, “Palette of Feelings”. Recently, Karolis presented his latest album, “XIDEA”, which fuses elements of jazz, cinematic scores, drum ‘n’ bass, and rock to reveal an even broader creative vision.

Domantas Pūras is a Lithuanian composer active in the fields of experimental, electroacoustic, and contemporary academic music. In his work, acoustic instruments interact organically with electronics to bring forth entirely new sonic worlds. Pūras received his education at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and pursued further studies abroad, including at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. His compositions have already been performed at international festivals.