Vapaat äänet 30 vuotta: Claude Tchamitchian “In Spirit” at Wille on 6 November

Fri 6.11.2026
14:00 - 20:30

This autumn, producer Charles Gil’s Vapaat äänet, celebrating its 30th anniversary, presents French double bass master Claude Tchamitchian in a concert at Wille on Friday 6 November. Tchamitchian is driving from Paris, bringing one of the legendary Jean-François Jenny-Clarke’s double basses. On that bass he performs his solo work “In Spirit”, a tribute to Jenny-Clarke.

This autumn, producer Charles Gil’s Vapaat äänet, celebrating its 30th anniversary, presents French double bass master Claude Tchamitchian in a concert at Wille on Friday 6 November. Tchamitchian is driving from Paris, bringing one of the legendary Jean-François Jenny-Clarke’s double basses. On that bass he performs his solo work “In Spirit”, a tribute to Jenny-Clarke.

In Spirit is the third solo project by long-time bassist Claude Tchamitchian, dedicated to the late bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clarke. Jenny-Clarke (1944–1998), who took part in Edward Vesala’s workshop in 1979, was a highly regarded figure in European jazz and contemporary music.

Premiered in 2018, In Spirit differs from Tchamitchian’s earlier works: for the first time he “heard” the music in his head beforehand. He developed a new scordatura for the piece, an open tuning based on diminished fifths (E♭–A–E♭–A). The tuning recalls the Armenian string instrument kamancha and resonates with Tchamitchian’s cultural heritage. He knew he could not realize this music on his own double bass, as its build would not withstand the pressure of the unusual tuning. The circle closed when, through fortunate coincidences, Tchamitchian obtained the use of one of Jenny-Clarke’s two double basses, giving the work strong emotional and historical weight. In Spirit has been widely recognized as a major solo double bass work, praised for its feeling, technical innovation, and spiritual intensity.

Claude Tchamitchian (b. 1960) began double bass independently and continued at the Conservatory of Avignon in 1983. An intuitive and ambitious bassist, he has forged a personal voice through solo projects and collaborations. He has played with numerous musicians, including the French artists Michel Portal, Näissam Jalal, Henri Texier, Catherine Delaunay, Stéphan Oliva, Louis Sclavis, Jacques Di Donato, Régis Huby, Daunik Lazro, François Corneloup, Jean-Marie Machado, and with international musicians such as Jimmy Giuffre, Eric Watson, Linda Sharrock, Joe McPhee, Christof Lauer, Andy Sheppard, Mat Maneri, Tom Rainey, Herb Robertson, Barre Phillips, Ray Anderson, Phil Minton, Kent Carter, John Tchicaï. He also performs with folk musicians, for example in Greek artist Angelica Ionatos’s ensemble and as a duo with kamancha master Gaguik Mouradian. He founded the production company and label Emouvance in 1994.

Tchamitchian’s eventful story in Finland is intertwined with the 30-year journey of producer Charles Gil’s Vapaat äänet tours. He joined the very first Vapaat äänet tour in November 1996 in trombonist Yves Robert’s quartet. Over the years he has visited Finland nearly 20 times on tours and festivals: notably with his own 15-piece Grand Lousadzak orchestra at Tampere Jazz Happening 2000; multiple tours with pianist Andy Emler’s groups, MegaOctet, and as a trio with drummer Eric Echampard—once as a quartet with Dave Liebman at April Jazz 2013; in flutist Naïssam Jalal’s trio at Raahen Rantajatsit in 2019 and on tour in 2022. In autumn 2026 he will arrive in Finland overland, performing and giving masterclasses along the way in the Baltic countries.

Friday 6 Nov, 19:00-20:30

Doors open to the public at 14:00

Tickets €20 (box office opens 18:00)

Wille Olohuone & Keittiö

Äänekoskentie 311, Äänekoski

Ticket reservations:

Charles Gil, tour producer / charlesgil22@gmail.com / tel. 050 5716 516