Biography

First Days of Summer is Kalevi Hämäläinen Group's debut album, which was published in spring 2020 via Eclipse Music. First Days of Summer is an unapologetic rush of positive energy from a young and ambitious group of talented musicians: pianist-composer Kalevi Hämäläinen, drummer Ilmari Hämäläinen, guitarist Juho Koskivirta and bassist Valtteri Rouhiainen.

Formed in 2015, Kalevi Hämäläinen Group takes its influences from modern fusion jazz, but also from prog rock and, melodically, even from pop music. Using predominantly major keys, their harmonic palette is uplifting but not without twists and turns.

"To me the early part of summer has always been a time of freedom and liberation. I found that I had been contemplating these themes in my compositions not only in the theme song but in other songs on the record as well. So this is, in a way, a 'theme album' by accident" says composer Kalevi Hämäläinen. "Whether you think of steaming highways in Florida or warm evenings in the Finnish wilderness under the midnight sun, this music fits those places really well."

Even though the band was formed five years before publishing its debut album, the ensemble wanted to take time to develop its sound and craft its compositions as good as possible before going into the studio to record.

Album has been financially supported by South Savo Regional Fund of Finnish Cultural Foundation and it has been released on CD, streaming and download.

Kalevi Hämäläinen Group
Kalevi Hämäläinen – Piano, compositions
Ilmari Hämäläinen – Drums
Juho Koskivirta – Guitar
Valtteri Rouhiainen – Bass

Tracklist

1. Grasshopper
2. Flying Desires
3. Exit 68
4. Sense Of Urban
5. Midnight Sun
6. For Better Times
7. Phellooti
8. First Days Of Summer