Ruokangas Hako-Rita is a jazz and avant-garde guitar duo from Oulu, formed in 2012. The new album consists of avant-garde solo guitar and duo material based on Ruokangas’ compositions. The music varies from delicate and melodic atmosphere to almost violent expression, where the intensity and the interaction between the musicians are essential. In addition to Finland, both members have performed around Europe and Ruokangas’ music has been released also in United Kingdom, USA and German.
Heikki Ruokangas became interested in jazz while studying at the Oulu conservatoire and has since studied jazz improvisation under Raoul Björkenheim, for instance. Ruokangas’ music paints constantly changing images to the listeners mind. The album is flowing and soft but sometimes rough, earthy play with jazz.
HEIKKI RUOKANGAS & HENRIK HAKO-RITA:
Mono and Dialogues
Eclipse Music 2018
Tracklist:
1. Merry-Go-Round
2. Summertime (Gershwin)*
3. Warma
4. Event Horizon
5. Ghost Waltz
6. The Real Boy
7. Jos lähdet Laila (Sundqvist)*
8. Mechanical Crow
9. Flamenco of Rust
10. The Last Robot
All compositions: Ruokangas, except for (*)
Upcoming concerts of the album release tour:
26.04.2018 - Töölön kirjasto, Helsinki
27.04.2018 - Raahen teatteri, Raahe
05.05.2018 - Music Library, Rovaniemi
05.05.2018 - Kylätalo, Sinettä
18.05.2018 - Voimala 1889, Oulu
19.05.2018 - Pori Art Museum, Pori
20.05.2018 - Teatteri Iltatähti, Kokkola