A few days ago, the "2023 Presidential Office Concert" came to an end. Jazz Island, a Lithuanian vocal ensemble, was particularly invited to the concert this year. Additionally, after more than 30 years, this is the first international act to take the stage at the Presidential Office Concert.
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Jazz Island, a Lithuanian vocal group, recently performed in Taiwan, hoping to let more people know about Lithuania through music.Photo reproduced from GACC Facebook
Lithuanian multi-part a cappella choir Jazz Island is a professional group. Jazz is not the only genre represented in its tunes; it also infuses modernism into folk music and classical compositions. The Lithuanian vocal group Jazz Island was chosen as the country's greatest vocal ensemble and has received multiple honors. During the World Choral Championship in 2014, it took home the gold prize for jazz music. The night Jazz Island landed in Taiwan, it just so happened to be Lithuania's Statehood Day. As a result, as soon as they arrived at Taoyuan Airport, the members pulled out the Lithuanian flag and spontaneously sung the country's national anthem, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.
Jazz Island, a Lithuanian vocal group, recently performed in Taiwan, hoping to let more people know about Lithuania through music.Photo provided by GACC
Jazz Island performed four songs at this event at the Office of the President, one of which is in Taiwanese. According to troupe member IEVA ZDANAVIIT, they specifically sought out a local Taiwanese from Lithuania to teach them Taiwanese for this performance. The three additional songs they played, according to member KASPARAS SKUJA, were traditional melodies from Lithuania that had been updated in a modern and swing-inspired arrangement to highlight Lithuanian culture, wishing to spread awareness about Lithuania via music.
The Lithuanian vocal group Jazz Island was chosen as the country's greatest vocal ensemble and has received multiple honors. During the World Choral Championship in 2014, it took home the gold prize for jazz music.Photo reproduced from Jazz Island website
