Intars Busulis Lush Life Quintet Vol. 2 – Pink Noise Riga

Following a completely sold-out spring concert and a standing ovation from the audience, Pink Noise Riga announces the return of Intars Busulis and the Lush Life Quintet. The quintet's second premiere – Vol. 2 – will take place at Daile Music House on 28 November.

During the festival's spring session, the masterful musical dialogue between Intars Busulis and saxophonist Gints Pabērzs became one of its most emotional highlights. Joined by pianist Matīss Žilinskis, double bassist Toms Poišs and drummer Rūdolfs Dankfelds, the quintet will once again revisit and reinterpret gems from the jazz canon – and beyond – with an aristocratic flair.

The first concert featured compositions including Corcovado, Lush Life, Atvadas vasarai, Dedicated to You, Nature Boy, Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years, Blue Trane, I'm A Fool to Want You, Kāpēc, Liquid Spirit and Hallelujah I Love Her So, as well as Matīss Žilinskis' Sulīgā dzīve, written especially for the quintet as an ironic nod to Billy Strayhorn's legendary composition and the ensemble's name.

Which of these pieces will remain in the programme for Vol. 2 – and what new gems will be added – the organisers are keeping under wraps for now. One thing is certain: the audience can expect plenty of musical surprises.

The project draws inspiration from one of the great recordings pairing male vocals with tenor saxophone – the legendary 1963 album John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, released by Impulse! Records.