Biography

Sampo Hiukkanen and his band String Theory’s much-anticipated debut album Bow Code promises to be a landmark in modern Finnish jazz.

The violin, often a rarity in jazz ensembles, takes center stage in Bow Code, a testament to Sampo Hiukkanen's bold artistic vision. Drawing inspiration from jazz legends Stephan Grappelli and Stuff Smith, String Theory creates a unique sound that blends classic violin-led jazz with contemporary influences and modern digital techniques. The result is a refreshing and dynamic album that pushes the boundaries of the genre.

Hiukkanen (b. 1987) began his musical journey as a classical violinist before transitioning to jazz at the prestigious Sibelius Academy's Youth Department at the age of 15. Although proficient in jazz saxophone, Hiukkanen chose the violin as the centerpiece of his debut release, embracing the challenge of an unconventional instrument in jazz.

"The simple reason for choosing the violin for this project was that it was my first instrument. The violin is a challenging instrument to play jazz on, and it's also uncommon in this type of music," explains Hiukkanen.


Bow Code is not just an album but a journey through the realms of jazz, offering listeners a blend of smooth melodic expressions and cutting-edge sonic landscapes. Fans and newcomers alike can look forward to experiencing a fresh, innovative take on jazz with Bow Code, as Sampo Hiukkanen and String Theory continue to contribute to the renaissance of the violin in Finnish jazz.

Tracklist

1. Introduction
2. Forest Life
3. Gaze
4. Heavy Cream
5. I
6. Whales
7. Aviate
8. Abuh-Ending