Jazz Finland Live

The four young musicians who form ARQ (Artturi Rönkä Quartet) have a few things in common – they were all born in 1990 and have studied in the youth department of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. The group has had different names and has been expanded with other musicians, even with a string trio, but since 2007 the core quartet has stayed the same. Several years of mutual history can actually be heard on stage, as their interaction sounds very natural and has already developed its own little rules. It has also been noticed in different contests, as last year the quartet won the first price in the Finnish semifinals of Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition and placed second in the Jazz Hoeilaart competition in Belgium. Besides good chemistry, a great deal of their sound comes from the unique compositions by pianist Artturi Rönkä (FIN) – which is why it wasn't a hard decision to name the quartet after him. At the moment Artturi is studying composition and performance in Paris (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Dance de Paris) and has already won a few composition contests, such as Finnish ”Esko Linnavalli” (2011, organized by UMO Jazz Orchestra and Imatra Big Band Festival) and international ”Jazzverk” (Sweden, 2012, organized by Norrbotten Big Band). What distinguishes ARQ from many other groups playing so-called ”even eights” is the fact that they can actually swing. However modern their music might be, they have roots deep in the jazz tradition – which is something that all the best jazz players have in common.

Open event

The album release tour of Soul What?. The concert in Raahe is organized by Rajatsi ry.

Eevalotta Matikainen - bass
Toni Porthén - drums
Martin Söderbacka - guitar/ backing vocals
Mikael Svarvar - keyboards/ vocals
Riikka Elisabet Hertteli - vocals

Feat. Joonatan Rautio - saxophones

Tickets: 10/8 euroa

Open event

Open event