Biography

Samai Maata is the debut album of Heiskanen Bayatz Baharat.

The music of Heiskanen Bayatz Baharat includes influences from the music of the Near Eastern regions and the Nordic jazz tradition, combined in a completely new and interesting way. The music is fast-paced and sincerely emotional. The music transports the audience from Arabic Taqsims, mysticism and Samai rhythms to Latin and jazz rhythms and from virtuoso Longa to delicate ballads.

The album's title track Samai Maata is a tribute to the entire universe, where the interweaving of different instruments and song lyrics tells about how we are all part of the same earth, energy and consciousness.

In addition to violinist and composer Lotta-Maria Heiskanen, the band's core group consists of bassist Jukka Haavisto, pianist Aapo Heinonen and percussionist Ricardo Padilla, as well as a changing lineup of string players and masters of Middle Eastern instruments.

The band's leader Heiskanen plays jazz and Middle Eastern music and combines the rhythms and tonality of the Near Eastern regions with the Nordic jazz tradition in her works. Heiskanen's compositions travel along the border between mysticism and realism. She is a sensitive interpreter whose playing style is beautifully moving and bursting with passion.

Tracklist

1. Juuri ennen
2. Valomeri
3. Samai maata
4. Kaipaus
5. Yö
6. Autiomaa

7. Läpi meren
8. Surun tie
9. Longa
10. Sees
11. Ruoho kalliolla