This union of five up-and-coming jazzers testifies to the vitality of the jazz scene of Turku. Aura Flow celebrate their debut by taking to the stage at their native Turku, Parainen and Germany.
Quintet Aura Flow release their second album, entitled Dynamo, on Fredriksson Music on 18 March. This quintet that comprises five first-division jazzers hailing from the region -- saxophonist Max Zenger, pianist Henri Mäntylä, guitarist Henri Marjamäki, bassist Teemu Åkerblom and drummer Jussi Fredriksson -- is an embodiment of Turku’s liveliness as a jazz city. The group will play their new material live at their native city’s Sigyn Hall on the release date, in Parainen on 26 March and in Koln, Germany, on 22 April.
Despite their identification with the old capital, the members of Aura Flow have expanded their sphere of influence further and wider in recent years. Max Zenger is a familiar face from Teppo Mäkynen’s cinema concerts, staged at Sibafest and bandmate Teemu Åkerblom’s quartet quartet that issued their debut not long ago. Henri Mäntylä has recently shared the stage with saxophonist Timo Lassy in the latter’s popular gospel concerts; while drummer-pianist Jussi Fredriksson is generally known as a handyman of jazz in the South-West Finland. The new material has been penned by Zenger and Mäntylä – four tracks each.
A messanger of energetic, melodic and swinging jazz, Aura Flow is a fresh breeze from the west coast of Finland. The sophomore sees the group raise the stakes and peer into the international scene.
Aura Flow: Dynamo
Fredriksson Music 2016 (FRMCD017, release date 18 Mar 2016)
Distributor: Playground Music
1. Dynamo / 2. Open Road / 3. Dancing Donna / 4. Avnjuts Kall / 5. Västerleden / 6. Memory Times / 7. Tre Ugglor / 8. Daily News
Compositions: Max Zenger (1., 3., 4., 7.) and Henri Mäntylä (2., 5., 6., 8.)
Max Zenger, saxohphone / Henri Mäntylä, piano / Henri Marjamäki, guitar / Teemu Åkerblom, bass / Jussi Fredriksson, drums
Aura Flow Album-launch show
Fri 18 Mar at 19 Turku, Flame Jazz / Sigyn Hall (Linnankatu 60)
Tickets 15/10€
Other shows:
Sat 26 Mar Råttis, Parainen
Fri 22.4. Koln, Germany / Artheater