Biography

Rönkä / Sommer: Varo is a joint effort of Finnish pianist Artturi Rönkä and Danish drummer Daniel Sommer. Most of the album is in trio format with Estonian Heikko Remmel on bass. On two of the tracks the trio is joined by Finnish trombone virtuoso Kasperi Sarikoski. The single Sörnäinen received several slots on international Spotify playlists, Jazz X-press for example. 

The music of Varo consists of short-form sketch-like pieces with plenty of room for improvisation. The moods range from Nordic calm to straight ahead jazz via abstract impressions. The album was recorded during a relaxed two-day session in November 2019 in Vartiokylä, Helsinki.

Artturi Rönkä is a Finnish pianist, composer and arranger working in a variety of genres from modern jazz to contemporary classical. Rönkä is best known for his group AR Quartet and for his work as an arranger for UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and other large ensembles.
 


Daniel Sommer is a Copenhagen-based drummer originally from Aarhus, Denmark. Sommer has contributed to a wide range of releases ranging from minimalist avant-garde to highly swinging straight ahead - which has won great praise among critics. Sommer's musical flexibility and sharp contrasts create the right conditions for the music to never lose its grip. Sommer released his debut album Duets in 2017.

Artturi Rönkä, piano

Daniel Sommer, drums

Heikko Remmel, bass

Kasperi Sarikoski, trombone (on 2 & 6)

Tracklist

1. Introduction to Sörnäinen
2. Sörnäinen
3. Blues
4. Varo
5. November
6. Beyond
7. What if?
8. En mi bémol