VILNIUS MAMA JAZZ 2025 | Y-OTIS (SE, DE, NL, UK) / STEAM DOWN (UK)

Y-OTIS (SE, DE, NL, UK)

Otis Sandsjö – sax

Petter Eldh – db, synths

Dan Nicholls – keys, synths

Jamie Peet – dr

A year ago at the “Vilnius Mama Jazz” festival, we enjoyed the mesmerizing performance of Swedish double bass virtuoso Petter Eldh and his project “Post Koma”, which featured fellow Swede and saxophonist Otis Sandsjö. This year, both musicians return to the stage, switching roles in a dynamic display of musical camaraderie. This time, Otis leads the project “Y-OTIS,” with Petter joining as a key member.

Based in Berlin since the early 2010s, Otis Sandsjö has made a name for himself not only as a creatively brilliant saxophonist but also as a bold boundary-breaker when it comes to musical genres.

From gentle sounds to energetic funk-inspired bursts, “Y-OTIS” creates an impressive sonic mosaic influenced by jazz, hip hop, and electronic music. Every time Otis meets his talented collaborators in the studio, they create a fresh, free-form mode of musical communication – which, let’s be honest, is what jazz is all about.

Originally from Gothenburg, Otis began performing at the age of 17 and burst onto the European jazz scene in the last decade as part of the trio “Speak Low” (which also featured Petter Eldh). In 2018, he released the first “Y-OTIS” album under the renowned Finnish label “We Jazz.”

Melodic compositions and colorful musical solutions quickly caught the attention of music connoisseurs. The second “Y-OTIS” album followed in 2020, and last year fans were treated to the third.

With hypnotic saxophone tones and a daring blend of musical styles, the music of “Y-OTIS” embodies unpredictability and uniqueness. Petter Eldh, who moved from Sweden to Germany over a decade ago and is known for connecting the dots between Nordic and Berlin jazz, continues to be a vital part of this journey.

A bassist, composer, bandleader, and producer, Petter – who wowed our festival audience last year – wears many musical hats, all of which fit him perfectly.

Known for his innovative approach to arrangement and production, Petter often borrows techniques from hip hop music. The result is a constantly evolving sound rich with intricate detail – something clearly heard in “Y-OTIS” albums. It’s no surprise – musicians with such original thinking would find it hopelessly boring to stand still and not evolve.

Joining Otis and Petter on stage is British keyboardist Dan Nicholls, a familiar name in the worlds of dance and electronic music. Just mentioning that he has worked with UK drum and bass legend Goldie says a lot.

A multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, Dan is deeply engaged with social and political themes and is a member of the collective “Loop,” well-known across the music scenes of London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Nature, society, and cultural identity are recurring themes for this musician, who is also known for his musical experiments and adventures.

For instance, he has studied classical Indian music, worked with visual arts and film, and even received a grant to research and design a new musical instrument in Africa.

The group’s drummer, Jamie Peet, is one of the key figures on today’s Dutch music scene. A versatile collaborator across jazz, hip hop, and other genres, Jamie began drumming at the age of five and soon earned a reputation as a phenomenal musician.

His talent has already caught the attention of not only many Dutch stars but also international icons – Jamie has performed with popular vocalist Gregory Porter as well as composer, pianist, and filmmaker Kris Bowers.

Like his fellow bandmates, Jamie belongs to a bold and experimental generation of musicians who skillfully blend jazz with electronic sounds.

“Expect the completely unexpected” – a phrase often used to describe music that defies easy categorization. If there’s one concert in the “Vilnius Mama Jazz” lineup that truly fits this description, it’s “Y-OTIS.” One thing’s for sure – after this performance, there will definitely be more fans of this music in Lithuania, because it’s simply impossible not to be intrigued.