The pianist and educator Saulius Šiaučiulis (b. 1951) is an expert of mainstream jazz, one of the leading traditional jazz pianists in Lithuania.
He studied at the M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, in 1974 graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music where he studied classical piano with Prof. Mariam Azizbekova. After graduation he returned to his native city of Klaipėda and became active member of its musical scene. Since 1970, he has been active as a jazz pianist. In 1970-85 he led the Klaipėda Jazz Quartet, later the Saulius Šiaučiulis Ensemble. In 1980 he also joined the Big Band and the Dixieland of the Klaipėda Conservatory, and in 1985-94 performed in duo with clarinettist Pranas Narušis. He has also collaborated with Vladimir Chekasin, Vytautas Pilibavičius, Vytautas Labutis, Jan Maksimowicz, Tomas Botyrius, Arvydas Jofė, Arkady Shilkloper and Jiggs Whigham, among others. Recently Saulius Šiaučiulis has been regularly performing with the Kaunas Big Band, saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas, singer Steponas Januška. The pianist collaborates with classical performers as well, including Aukuras Choir, String Quintet of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, Kaunas String Quartet, Kaunas Chamber Orchestra to name just a few. He has also toured European countries with different groups.
Saulius Šiaučiulis is an acknowledged teacher. Since 1973, he has been on a faculty at the Klaipėda University (formerly Klaipėda Faculty of the Lithuanian State Conservatory; since 2002 - an assistant Professor). In 1997, he joined the faculty of the Eduardas Balsys Gymnasium of Arts, in 1997-2001 taught at the Stasys Šimkus Conservatory. He wrote a textbook Jazz Themes for Improvisation Studies vol. I (1999) and vol. II (2003), with accompanying CDs.
Saulius Šiaučiulis is known as a composer as well. Besides jazz compositions, his output includes music for the Klaipėda Drama Theatre productions, music for children (songs and theatre music). He is also an actor with the Klaipėda Castle Theatre. In 1976-85 he served as a music director of the Klaipėda Drama Theatre.
© Jūratė Kučinskaitė
