Oulu Music Festival's Jazz & Etno series has already featured ten concerts this autumn. Now, the last two concerts of the year will take the audience into the world of sensitive jazz piano and modern violin jazz.
Pianist Juho Valjakka's piano trio promises a sensitive and distinctive concert evening on November 29, 2023
Pianist Juho Valjakka founded his first piano trio in 2010 and has since focused on the trio format in his artistic work. He has always been inspired by the sensitivity and versatility of the ensemble, as well as the exploration of new shades within traditional instrumentation. The current lineup, in operation since 2018, with bassist Oskari Siirtola and drummer Anssi Tirkkonen, represents Valjakka's current vision of the piano trio, drawing from its history while reaching towards the future.
On their debut album, Liminal Spaces (2022), Valjakka and his trio present their unique and nuanced musical world to the audience. The ensemble transforms Valjakka's harmonically rich compositions into a refreshing sonic field, playful and reactive in their ensemble playing, with various rhythmic textures and layers playing a crucial role. The new album also includes two classic compositions from the Duke Ellington Orchestra's repertoire, complementing Valjakka's reflections on the overall experience of a young artist.
Juho Valjakka Trio will be featured in the Jazz & Ethno series on November 29, 2023, at 7:00 PM at RioLive.
Violinist Silva Kallionpää's quartet explores modern jazz, breaking genre boundaries, on December 13
Since 2017, the fusion of four distinctive musicians in Silva Kallionpää Quartet has fearlessly tested its boundaries. The ensemble's unique collective sound and rule-breaking expression are both touching and challenging for listeners universally, regardless of background. Drawing from modern jazz and occasionally venturing into undefined paths, the compositions frame collaborative ensemble work. The music tells stories with new nuances emerging with each performance.
Versatile violinist Silva Kallionpää has delved into rhythm music and improvisation since the beginning of her career, particularly within the framework of the beloved jazz genre. In her compositions, she curiously stretches familiar molds, aiming for artistic growth by constantly seeking new paths of expression. In Kallionpää's musical language, her open-minded views are revealed, influenced not only by jazz but also by art pop and electronic music.
Silva Kallionpää Quartet will be featured in the Jazz & Ethno series on December 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM at RioLive.