is one of the most productive and active Lithuanian jazz masters, superlative pianist, keyboardist, exceptional leader and distinct composer. It is for his original compositions his collectives garnered recognition. He excels in combining acoustic and electronic timbres, striking colour palette and Nordic reserved and romantic improvisation.
His music can be heard on sixteen personal CDs, two personal DVDs and nine jazz collections.
Pulauskas debuted on jazz scene in 1990 with Skirmantas Sasnauskas Jazz Quartet with which he garnered Grand Prix at the Birštonas Jazz 1992.
Birštonas Jazz 1996 hosted the debut of his first group, Dainius Pulauskas Quintet, which grew into Sextet – one of the leading and most widely internationally recognised Lithuanian jazz collectives. In 2001, the Sextet received Gold Disc awarded to the best musician of the year by the Lithuanian Musicians’ Union. In 2004, the Lithuanian Institute presented the ensemble with LT tapatybė (LT Identity) award for promulgation of Lithuanian jazz.
Since 2004, the Dainius Pulauskas Group (DPG) has become an umbrella-title for various formations led by the notable figure of Lithuanian jazz. Various formations of DPG have appeared in more than 120 jazz festivals in 30 countries, four continents. DPG was the first Lithuanian group to enter the stages of Malaysia, Indonesia, South African Republic, Egypt and Ethiopia. The group was applauded in prestigious Ottawa, London and Tokyo jazz festivals.
The Best of 20 Years, the group’s ninth album, documents the group’s path, presents the group’s best compositions of all times.
Today, Pulauskas is at ease with Big Bands and orchestras, as well as large-scale jazz compositions. Lithuanian choirs perform his compositions and arrangements in Lithuanian Song Festivals. He also writes music for theatre, takes part in TV projects with the LRT group for which he also arranges music.
In addition to jazz exponents, he collaborates with folk and academic music performers: recorded CDs with Sutaras folk music group, Čiurlionis Quartet and quite a few with singer Veronika Povilionienė.
In international projects Pulauskas teamed up with musicians from the USA, France, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Italy, Finland, Germany, Russia, etc.
The keyboardist has appeared in international jazz piano festivals in Liepaja and Prague, performed at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic. He has earned a number of awards: Bravo (1999) for the best Lithuanian jazz musician; Grand Prix for the best arrangement of Yesterday by Lennon and McCartney at the International Competition Yesterday Pärnu’99 (Estonia); Grand Prix at the Birštonas Jazz (2000), Vilnius Jazz award for contributions to Lithuanian jazz (2010); was twice nominated for the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Prize.
