Led by the eponymous pianist, Aki Rissanen Trio play one show in Britain and five around Finland this September. The trio released the acclaimed disc, Amorandom, earlier this year.
Aki Rissanen Trio have recently established themselves as one of Finland’s most interesting jazz acts. Their new album, Amorandom, was issued by the British Edition Records early this year and it has steadily garnered five-star reviews not only in Finnish but international media, too. A tour de force of the trio’s talent, the album presents Rissanen’s mature and tight-knit outfit that features perhaps the most skilled rhythm section that Finland has to offer at the moment: bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen.
Convincing work as a solo artist, sideman and leader have paved the way for Rissanen not only to the vanguard of Finnish jazz but to international jazz circles. In many ways a jackpot, Amorandom can easily be seen as Rissanen’s international breakthrough. Originally, Rissanen composed the music for animated film, Amorandom, by film director Tuula Leinonen and long-standing Finnish animator Antti Peränne, and the music and the film have been brought together in numerous live concerts in recent years. The album records the impact of regular gigging – an effortless and seamless performance.
Richly rhythmical yet lyrical, the trio’s expression has reached a high level thanks to a long history of playing together in various outfits; indeed, a very natural-sounding communication runs as the red thread through the album and sets the trio apart from many rivals. Rissanen’s melodic compositions brim with genuine joy of discovery and in the hands of these three artists they blossom in every possible hue.
Aki Rissanen - piano
Antti Lötjönen - bass
Teppo Mäkynen - drums
Live:
9 Sep King's Place Festival, London
14 Sep Kerava Jazz Club, Vapaaehtoisen hyvinvointiyhteistyön keskus, Kerava
15 Sep Suisto Club, Hämeenlinna
16 Sep King's Crown, Kuopio Jazz & Blues Concert, Kuopio
17 Sep Tuba, Oulu
20 Sep G Livelab, Helsinki
Production: Katariina Uusitupa / Miomio Productions, Aki Rissanen and Dave Stapleton. The tour is supported by the Finnish Music Foundation.
Photo: Teemu Kuusimurto.