Obituary of Vadim Vyadro

A brilliant free-jazz innovator, Vadim was born on July 9, 1946 into a well-known artistic family. His mother, Inna, was a classically educated coloratura soprano, who toured the country, with a repertoire ranging from operatic arias to modern music. His father, Michael, was an actor, who later became a successful concert tour promoter, as well as a writer, whose satirical essays and poetry were often published in the mainstream media. As a young boy, Vadim sometimes travelled with his parents, getting an early exposure to the world of music, and behind the scene look at the lives of musicians, actors and dancers. EDUCATION In 1964, Vadim was accepted into the High School of Music in Riga, Latvia. With his interest in swing jazz and extraordinary talent in improvisation, he became a leader of the School's Dixieland band, playing clarinet, with repertoire ranging from Bechet to Morton. In 1968, he continued his classical music education at the State Conservatory of Music, taking advanced classes in clarinet, music theory, composition, conducting and orchestration. In 1972, he graduated as a solo performer, the highest degree given by the Conservatory to its most accomplished alumni. During his student years in Riga, Vadim continued to pursue his interest in modern jazz, by forming his first jazz ensemble. By that time, tenor saxophone became Vadim's instrument of choice, which he alternated with flute and clarinet. In his interviews, he cited early influences by Ben Webster, and later by John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. The ensemble performed regularly at the jazz club Allegro, before the enthusiastic audiences, introducing works by American jazz composers, as well as his own compositions, titled "Obsession", "Blues for a Flute", "Dance in a Valley", "Conception" to name a few, which showcased his virtuosity and free style improvisations. MUSICAL CAREER IN THE FORMER USSR Vadim and his ensemble toured extensively outside Riga, Latvia. The group gave concerts and participated in jazz festivals in major cities in Russia, Lithuania, Estonia and Ukraine, performing dozens of his own compositions. The music observer noted that "the compositions offered by Mr. Vyadro were expertly arranged, demonstrated an enviable understanding of jazz music, admirable taste and wide possibilities for improvisation." He also recorded extensively, often in collaboration with other jazz soloists and, by that time, was unanimously recognized by the jazz experts as the leading Soviet jazz musician. His busy schedule also included working as first saxophonist and first flutist for the Radio and Television Orchestra in Riga, Latvia, where he recorded his first album, "Concerto for Saxophone and Chamber Music Orchestra". S. Frederick Starr, in his perceptive book about Soviet jazz called "Red and Hot. The Fate of Jazz in the Soviet Union", wrote "...the Riga Conservatory-trained saxophonist Vadim Vyadro was experimenting with twelve-tone jazz, astonishing the Muscovites with his boldness. In his combination of inventiveness, technical sophistication, and sheer intensity Vyadro was years ahead of his colleagues; he bewildered and challenged them. In Riga, as elsewhere on the Baltic, the distinctions between styles were more fluid, less militant, than in Moscow…. Eventually, the bop explosion in Moscow and Leningrad ran its course. When that occurred during the 1970s, the Baltic innovators came into their own." Vadim played a pivotal role in bringing other jazz musicians, regardless of their cultural and ethnic background, to play in his ensemble, welcoming their talents, new ideas and showcasing their music. His concerts often included lectures by the music educators about jazz, as well as open jam sessions. These new collaborations brought excitement to the lives of the young concertgoers, who were hungry for the new expressions in music. A contemporary music observer wrote "…Vyadro combines virtuosity with expressive arrangements of his compositions. The phrasing is clearly defined, and rhythmic patterns blend sophistication and power. His style is emphatically masculine and bold. At the same time one feels a tremendous artistic composure and will. By using atonality, searching for unusual sound and rhythm combinations, pushing the limits of the instrument, Vyadro connects to the universal world of modern music. This is not a commercial jazz. This is pure jazz. The audience has to be educated to appreciate this form of jazz. Vyadro and his trio are doing this difficult, but a necessary task…" MUSICAL CAREER IN EUROPE His dazzling technique and artistry earned him many of the highest awards. In 1972, Vadim was invited to participate in the International Jazz Festival in Prague, which included Competition of Jazz Soloists. His performances drew an enthusiastic support from the audience, from the jury of the international experts, as well as the media. Almost overnight, Vadim went from the unknown participant to a highly regarded performer, winning top prize in the tenor sax category. In 1972, Vadim married Svetlana Rinskaya, a fellow student from the piano faculty. After the birth of their son, Michael, he decided to move abroad, where he believed he would have better opportunities to play avant-garde jazz. In 1974, Vadim moved with his family to Vienna, Austria, where he was immediately recognized as an extraordinary saxophone talent. The music press wrote that "how unlikely it was that the country like USSR, which was relatively isolated from the world of jazz, could produce a jazz musician, with such a mature and distinctive personal style that ranged from swing to abstract sonorities of the avant-garde genre. No wonder that American jazz musicians who made quest appearances in USSR – among them even Duke Ellington and Ornette Coleman – were enthusiastic about the talent of this great saxophone player." During his stay in Vienna, Vadim played with various Austrian groups, most notably with Fritz Pauer Trio. "Mr. Vyadro appeared regularly at the Jazzland, a Vienna night club that was a performing venue for the young, as well as established jazz musicians, among them Art Farmer and Pony Poindexter, who predicted a great future for Mr. Vyadro". As a featured artist, Vadim played with Harald Neuwrith Consort at the International Graz Festival, which also included performances by Slide Hampton and Art Farmer. As a freelance musician, he performed at the International Music Forum in Burgenland (Austria), Salzburg Jazz Club, Concert Hall of Schaan (Switzerland), and at the Festival of Radio Orchestras in Graz, Vienna and St. Gerold (Austria). Vadim also made several recordings with the ORF (Austrian Radio and Television). MUSIC CAREER IN THE UNITED STATES In 1975, Vadim moved to New York, where he played in Broadway production of "Jesus Christ Superstar". In 1976, he was invited to collaborate on the album "Szobel" (Arista Records), playing saxophone, clarinet and flute. His performance was well received by the New York press. In 1983, John S. Wilson of the New York Times wrote about his performance at the Public Theatre: "Mr. Vyadro, assisted by the American bassist Cecil McBee and the drummer Billy Hart produced a beautifully sustained saxophone solo and piano solo that carried echoes of Thelonious Monk". Vadim was very approachable, likable and gracious to his fans. He connected to his audiences, bringing exhilarating sounds of the avant-garde jazz to the people regardless of where they lived. His fans remembered him long after his illness affected his ability to perform. They would recognize and approach him on the street to talk about his music and where he would perform next. They would call or write to him to talk about jazz and direction in which it might go. His brilliant and thriving musical career was tragically interrupted by a terminal illness. The world of music lost an exceptional musician and a remarkable man. Vadim was compassionate and generous to everyone who knew him. His inspiring performances will always be remembered by those who were fortunate to hear him play. Vadim is survived by his wife, Svetlana, and son, Michael, both of New York, who will miss his love, gentle soul, and noble heart.