Biography

Jazzbasilli is an albumful of vocal jazz schlagers of their Finnish golden era, the 1950s and 1960s. These new arrangements pay homage to the original ones, and Aili Ikonen's voice is more than a tribute to the unforgettable Laila Kinnunen and her peers. The album was released on the band's own label, Majava Music.

¨HERD, founded in 2009, has risen fast to the league of the most interesting Finnish jazz groups. This group that seems to swing without making any effort couples a sovereign command of stylistic detail and a strong sense of dynamic with joyful and intensive interaction between the band members. The trio was catapulted to fame at Pori Jazz Festival in 2010 when the vibes man Panu Savolainen was selected as the Artist of the Year. In July 2011 HERD came first in the prestigious European Jazz Competition contest at North Sea Jazz Festival. Their debut Live!! was released in the same year. The trio has also hosted their own, popular club series, the HERD club, with guest soloists since autumn 2012 at the National Theatre’s downstairs venue, Lavaklubi.

Aili Ikonen’s masterful use of the human voice has become more than familiar to music enthusiasts from her contribution in such groups as Kvalda, Korpi Ensemble, Yona & Orkesteri Liikkuvat Pilvet, UMO Jazz Orchestra, Norrbotten Big Band, Aili Ikonen & Tribute to Ella and vocal ensemble Rajaton. Aili’s group Kvalda won the inter-Sacndinavian Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition in 2004.

HERD & Aili Ikonen made their debut live show at the opening ceremony of Musiikkitalo in Helsinki in August 2011.

Tracklist

1. Pojatsäv. ja san. Markus Bäckman
2. Jazzbasillisäv. Horace Silver, suom. san. Kari Tuomisaari
3. Valoa ikkunassasäv. Eino Hurme, san. Saukki
4. Neidon oikutsäv. Domenigo Montugno, suom. san. Saukki
5. Olisin voinut tanssia koko yönsäv. Alan Lerner/Frederick Loewe, suom. san. Saukki
6. Kotkan poikii ilman siipiiJunnu Vainio
7. Illalla, illallasäv. Sandro Taccani, suom. san. Saukki
8. Suklaasydänsäv. G. Clarkson/H. Clarkson/Siegmann, suom. san.
9. Muistatko Monrepos'nsäv. Erik Lindström, san. Aili Runne
10. Puhelinlangat laulaasäv. Pentti Viherluoto, san. Aimo Viherluoto
11. Kellä kulta, sillä onnisäv. Richard Adler - Robert Allen, suom. san. Saukki