Four musicians from four different genres created one new magical shared form of expression. At Jazzkaar 2026, they were premiering a new album called “New Chapter”.
When you put together different genres and musicians, the result can either be something truly special or something that doesn’t quite work. Peedu Kass and Theodor Sink decided to start a new band, inviting Villu Talsi and Simone Minn to join them. Together, they explore a contemporary approach to tradition under the name Itira.
The setup for Jazzkaar’s concert looks elegant, since double bass and cello are waiting on stage to fill the room with sound. What I am most curious about, is how the mandolin will blend with the other string instruments.
A solo from cello starts the musical journey. As the others – viola, double bass and mandolin – gradually join in, everything starts to fall into place. I have to admit, the combination of double bass and mandolin sounds surprisingly good, I’m almost surprised it isn’t used more often.
The first pieces are instrumental, though I recall there should also be vocals. I find myself wondering how singing could possibly fit into this arrangement. The third piece answers that question. It feels more traditional, in the best possible way, and carries a slightly exotic touch. Minn’s vocals gently float over the lively instrumental background. It feels like walking through a warm, distant culture, free of worries. My impression is confirmed later when Kass explains that the piece is titled “Hommikumaa vägevad” (“The Mighty of the East”).
The songs range from fast-paced rhythms to slower, more reflective melodies. The musicians clearly enjoy performing each piece. Even audience members who arrive halfway through the concert seem captivated – it is worth hearing even a fragment of what Itira offers.
Kass introduces the new vinyl and acknowledges how proud they all are. “This is the first white vinyl that I’ve ever made,” he claims. The audience shares this excitement: some cheer loudly after their favorite songs, while others even start dancing at the back.
After the first rounds of bows and applause, the audience refuses to let them go, calling Itira back for an encore. They return with the album’s title track, “New Chapter.” “It was the first piece we learned together as a band, so I guess we liked it,” Kass explains. The piece itself feels exciting and fresh, just as a new beginning should.
In the end, four musicians whose musical worlds might initially seem far apart prove that something remarkable can emerge from such a meeting. Good music is not defined by era or genre. It simply exists where creativity and connection meet.
Kass–Talsi–Sink–Minn
Tuesday, April 28th, Fotografiska Tallinn
The band:
Peedu Kass – double bass, electronics, artistic director
Villu Talsi – mandolin
Theodor Sink – cello
Simone Minn – viola, song
Photo: Urmo Männi