The bright saxophonist improviser Sergey Letov is known in narrow circles, the general public more often recalls his brother. But he writes a lot, speaks, collaborates with the most interesting musicians, his work is distinguished by eccentricity and non-conformism, but Sergey is not interested in fame, he prefers to spend his life exclusively on creativity.
Childhood and family
Sergei Fedorovich Letov was born on September 24, 1956 in Semipalatinsk in the family of a military man. The boy turned out to be very capable of mathematics, and therefore he had to study at the boarding school at the university in the Novosibirsk Academgorodok. When Sergei was 8 years old, his brother Igor was born, who later became the famous creator of the punk group "Civil Defense" Egor Letov. The younger brother was often sick, and Sergey fiddled with him a lot, sang to feed, he was the first to give Igor a rock opera to listen to. In 1965, the family was transferred to Omsk, where Letov Jr. will live most of his life later.
Happy student life
After school, Sergei goes to Moscow and enters the Moscow Institute of Fine Chemical Technology. M. In Lomonosov. During his studies, the then future musician was interested in art, but mainly in fine and literary ones. He systematically examined bookstores for interesting books, visited museums and exhibitions. After graduation, he enters graduate school, the topic of his research is heat-proof coatings, in particular, for the Soviet satellite Buran. Some time after graduation, Sergey works as an engineer, but is fond of the saxophone, begins to independently learn to play this instrument.
New calling
Despite the obvious abilities for science, Sergey Letov abandoned it and completely devoted himself to the new business of his life - music. He enters the Tambov cultural enlightenment school in the pop and wind department, where he professionally masters the instrument.
At the same time, a passion for collecting saxophones was born in him, today in his collection there are many rare examples, some of which he made on his own. A unique collection does not gather dust in cabinets, Letov actively plays all these instruments. He masters all kinds of saxophone: soprano, baritone, tenor, as well as different versions of flutes and bass clarinet. In 1982, Sergei was first invited to a public musical performance as a saxophonist, he accompanied the ensemble of percussion instruments Mark Pekarsky in a play by Mikhail Zhukov. So Sergey Letov falls into the bohemian youth company of artists, musicians of the Soviet underground.
Rock and jazz
In 1982, a novice musician was noticed by Sergey Kurekhin, a bright avant-garde composer and performance director. Their fruitful cooperation lasted 11 years, during which time Sergey Letov grew into a true professional not only as a performer, but also as a composer. Two Sergey performed as a duet, and Letov also played in the famous Pop Mechanics. Communication with Kurekhin brought into the life of the saxophonist many famous people such as Boris Grebenshchikov, Vasily Shumov, Konstantin Kinchev, Petr Mamonov and many others. Sergey Letov in the 80s worked with almost all cult rock bands of the time. As a virtuoso saxophonist and improviser, he fit perfectly into the rock aesthetics.
Sergey Letov, whose photo is increasingly seen in the chronicles of rock festivals, is becoming famous.
The second area of application of Letov’s talents is jazz. An outstanding improviser and multi-instrumentalist works a lot in this direction, writes jazz compositions, participates in national concerts, practices free jazz, which has a lot of fans around the world.
Three O Orchestra and Conceptualism
Letov Sergey is an avant-garde musician, he was infected with conceptualism in the 70s, and this love has not weakened over the years. In the Central House of Artists, he draws close with Andrei Monastyrsky and Nikita Alekseev, representatives of the unofficial association of conceptual artists “Collective Actions”, participates in apartment exhibitions and concerts, meets musicians, talks to those who have become masters today: Sofia Gubaidullina, Alfred Schnittke . Sergey Letov is an active participant in a huge number of art and music projects, in the famous exhibitions of the groups “20” and “21” he improvises on the saxophone, plays in groups that constantly appear at this time. Today Sergey Fedorovich gives lectures on Moscow conceptualism, made a website about them, talks with the same fans of this trend around the world.
In 1985, Letov, with a group of like-minded people, created the “Three O” ensemble, which was originally called “Three Holes of a Woman” in memory of Joyce's “Ulysses”. The group played “intuitive” music and gained great popularity in underground circles, they were invited to play at exhibitions, at jazz festivals. The ensemble toured a lot around the country and abroad, for some time Sergey Kurekhin collaborated with them, together they conquered many countries. The group also took part in theatrical productions together with Alexander Filippenko, Anatoly Vasiliev, Mikhail Mokeev, made a program with D. Prigov.
Personal life
Sergey Letov is a creative person, but at the same time he is known for his strict moral principles and well-established views. On this basis, even broke up with his brother, who dreamed of fame, a large number of fans. Sergei was always only interested in creativity and family. He has been happily married for many years, brings up three daughters. Letov has many hobbies, so his life is always diverse and eventful: he writes essays, is engaged in a music site, gives lectures, and also tours extensively.