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

Fri 6.11.2026
17:00 - 20:30

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

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

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

Premiered in 2018, In Spirit differs from Tchamitchian’s earlier works in that, for the first time in his composing, he “heard” the music in his head beforehand. He felt the need to develop a new scordatura for the piece, an open tuning based on diminished fifths (E♭–A–E♭–A). This 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 construction would not withstand the pressure required by the special tuning. Things came full circle when, through happy coincidences, Tchamitchian gained access to one of Jenny-Clark’s two double basses. It lends the work strong emotional and historical significance. In Spirit has received wide recognition as a major solo double-bass work and has been praised for its emotion, technical innovation, and spiritual intensity.

Claude Tchamitchian (b. 1960) started double bass independently and continued studies at the Avignon Conservatory in 1983. An intuitive and ambitious bassist, he has developed a personal voice through solo projects and in ensembles with fellow musicians. He has played with numerous artists, including the French musicians 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, from other countries, for example 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, such as in Greek artist Angelica Ionatos’s group 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 intertwines with the journey that began 30 years ago with producer Charles Gil’s Vapaat äänet tours. He took part in the 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 at festivals. Notable appearances include his own 15-piece Grand Lousadzak orchestra at Tampere Jazz Happening 2000; several 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 Rantajatseilla 2019; and on tour in 2022. In autumn 2026 he will arrive in Finland overland and will perform and give masterclasses along the way in the Baltic countries.

Friday 6 Nov, 19:00–20:30

Doors open at 17:00

Tickets 20 euros (ticket sales from 18:00)

Wille Olohuone & Keittiö

Äänekoskentie 311, Äänekoski

Ticket reservations:

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