International Music Week Yasar

He studied music at Vilnius Conservatory, Lithuanian Academy of Music, Carl Nielsen Academy of Music in Denmark and received his master's degree from DePaul University in Chicago.

Emerging on jazz stage in 1994, the bassist has not taken long to acquire a solid experience as he played with the bands led by Vladimir Chekasin, Oleg Molokoyedov, Artūras Anusauskas, with saxophonists Jan Maksimowicz and others. He has participated in numerous jazz, rock, classical and contemporary music projects. At the 2000 Vilnius Jazz Festival he made a debut as a leader with his project "Coltrane Impressions".

In 2001 he left for the USA to study. In 2003 in Chicago he co-founded, together with saxophonist Rimvydas Paulikas, an international trio, Baltic Asteroids, which soon evolved into a quintet (with drummer Brahm Fetterman, saxophonist Paul Hartsaw and trumpeter Tobias Kaemmerer). The group played only original compositions and Vytis Nivinskas revealed himself as a composer. The Baltic Asteroids played in Chicago, New York, Washington and other American cities. They have also been featured in the Lithuanian Vilnius and Birštonas jazz festivals.

Nivinskas has also performed with the Trapeze Unit, Outside In Trio (with Nobu Stowe and Dan Bales), Baked Beans (leader Jim Donovan), Matt Russell Band and others. He has collaborated with the famous Chicago avant-garde musicians Bill Brimfield, Jim Baker and William Perry (Healing Force). After completing his studies, he moved to New York where he played with Lawrence 'Butch' Morris, Kenny Wollesen and Dalius Naujokaitis.

Vytis Nivinskas’ return to Lithuania brought some fresh air into Lithuania’s jazz world. His creative, aesthetic and humanistic principles made him the most sought after jazz double bassists in Lithuania. Collaborating with the Lithuanian jazz luminaries, performing solo and in duos, he gave a memorable recital in 2007.

After returning to Lithuania in 2005, he has been performing a lot with Saga guartet, group Riot. He has also collaborated with Petras Vyšniauskas Group, drummers Vladimir Tarasov and Arkady Gotesman, saxophonist Liudas Mockūnas, violinist Vytautas Mikeliūnas, Beduin and Chordos string quartets, Jauna Muzika and Brevis choirs, dancer Lora Juodkaitė, pianist/singer Andre Pabarčiūtė, video artist Aukse Petrulienė, singer and actress Brigita Bublytė. Also Vytis has worked with actors for two different plays Uždaras Vakaras at OKT theatre and Geras žmogus iš Sezuano at Youth theatre in Vilnius.

He was one of co-founders of Baisios Stygos and Strange Doors bands. He also has played with W.Lackerschmid, H.Meurkens, J.Leandre, J.Haffner, D.Vyšniauskas, D.Stalmokas, I.Jurgelevičiūtė, A.Šlaustas, J.Milašius, J.Kuraitis, D.Golovanov, A.Polevikov, L.Bėkša, S.Sasnauskas and many others. V.Nivinskas also collaborated with two local major alternative pop bands : Milky Lasers and Jurga. Also he recorded a couple albums with two singing actors (G.Storpirštis and
V.Bareikis).

Since 2005 Vytis Nivinskas is on the faculties of Vilnius College and Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Also he was teaching in Latvia, Estonia and Serbia. From 2009 to 2014 he was a member of international Jazz Voices competition band in Klaipėda (Lithuania). Since 2007 he is board member of Lithuanian jazz federation.

At the present time Vytis is performing with Giedrė and Jazz Miniatures, Cinamono (quintet with singer Laura Budreckytė) and collaborating with Chris Ruebens and Baltic guitar quartet.