Jarmo Saari
guitarist/ composerKuva/ Photo: Tanja Ahola
Composer-musician Jarmo Saari (b. 1970) is one of the leading Finnish guitarists of his generation. Saari has carried out his musical vision in diverse environments and collaborated as a musician and/or composer with percussion master Trilok Gurtu, sax giant Michael Brecker, prog legend Pekka Pohjola, world famous Tapiola Choir, chartbusting rock band Don Huonot, Finnish treasure Umo Jazz Orchestra, trombone guru Nils Landgren and a cappella phenomena Rajaton, to name a few.
His sonic landscapes and often multi-layered real-time sound processing - created by the electric guitar, human voice or several odd instruments, including theremin and glassharp - are essential on his solo albums and have enriched the sound of many jazz combos, rock groups, chamber ensembles and big bands. He has performed in 25 countries and is featured on over 60 albums.
Saari has also made distinctive studio albums as a dedicated producer for a dozen top artists varying from jazz to tango, pop, rock or electronic music. His highly visual composition style is well documented in his works for cinema, contemporary dance, theatre and television. In 2006 he started collaborating with Tero Saarinen Company on a contemporary dance production called 'Next of Kin' as well as with film director Mika Kaurismäki on 'Sonic mirror' featuring Billy Cobham and film score of 'The house of branching love'