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Ilugdin Trio

Russian melodic lyricism, firmness of academic form, songfulness of Slavic folk; improvisational freedom, indie rock impudence, picturesque narration of a film score, — all that stirred with unerring taste. That is the music of ILUGDIN TRIO.

If you want to hear what modern Russian jazz sounds like, and what its current state of evolution is, you should definitely check out ILUGDIN TRIO. Led by a prominent Russian pianist and composer Dmitry Ilugdin, the trio belongs to the national musical elite. It includes, besides Dmitry, the most sought-after musicians on the Russian stage, Petr Ivshin (drums) and Viktor Shestak (double bass).

Dmitry Ilugdin has a rich cultural and educational background. Son of a well-known Russian film-maker, he graduated from the prestigious Gnesin’s Russian Academy of Music, got awarded the «Triumph» prize at music contest for youth, whereafter he worked for a decade in the band of guru of Russian jazz, jazz philosopher and visioner Alexey Kozlov. Their common creativity resulted in an album «Revisited Classics» which was issued on one of the leading Russian labels, ArtBeat Music and got loud in the media's praises.

ArtBeat Music also released the debut album by ILUGDIN TRIO named «Nikitskiy Boulevard», which was qualified by media as one of the best works of Russian jazz musicians recorded over recent years.

In 2017 the 2nd ILUGDIN TRIO album «Reflection» saw the light of day on the same label; in 2018 it was released on vinyl. The album documented the bloom of ILUGDIN TRIO artistry and entered Europe Jazz Media Chart in January 2018. Beyond touring and recording, Dmitry is much engaged in writing film scores, having created music for more than 10 pictures.

In May 2018 Dmitry officially represented Russia as a featured artist at the international Jazz Ahead event in Bremen. In November 2018 ILUGDIN TRIO appeared with a showcase at the Jazz Across Borders conference (Saint Petersburg) where they made their deepest impression on audiences.

Two other members of the band are just as profound musicians. Drummer and composer Petr Ivshin, also a graduate of Gnesin’s Russian Academy of Music, is one of the most valued and popular instrumentalists of Russia whose experience includes working with many outstanding musicians and legends of the global jazz stage (Chuck Loeb, Eric Marienthal, Dave Koz, Phil Perry, Brian Simpson etc.). Double bass and bass-guitar player Viktor Shestak, a musician with a unique gift of hearing his band partners, had made his lightning appearance on the Moscow jazz stage, and as of today he shares it with many famous jazz masters.