The German-born pianist counts among Finland’s most original artists. This April and May the audience will be presented a number of chances to experience his versatility live.
Experienced composer, band-leader and pianist, Sid Hille gives altogether seven concerts with three different groups this April and May. Sid Hille Camerata, that combine modern chamber music with jazz and features some of Finland’s leading string artists, premiere Hille’s new piece Quatuor no. 3 - Equilibrium and present new original music for piano and string quartet on 12 April - 7 May.
His improvising side Hille unleashes at Koko Jazz Club in two concerts with his groups Sid Hille Quintet and Sid Hille Contemporary Collective. On 14 May, the former will give a tribute show to the already-buried Platypus Ensemble, Hille’s band that was active in the early 2000s. The group comprises such acclaimed names as trumpeter Verneri Pohjola and drummer Teppo Mäkynen. Contemporary Collective offer a ride beyond genre boundaries on 21 May at the same venue. Exploring the no-man’s land between jazz and contemporary music, Contemporary Collective open a door to a world where the group members’ chemistry and mutual trust provide a springboard for improvisation and risk-taking.
On 4 May Hille gives his 350th solo concert at the Temppeliaukio Church.
“It’s my aim to compose music that sounds improvised and improvise music that sounds composed. I’ve always been interested in all kinds of sounds and noises and instruments: I mean both traditional musical instruments and rather more unconventional gadgets that one can use to make sounds, such as toys, electronical devices and analog synths. My fascination with all kinds of sounds is definitely present in everything I create,” says Hille.
Pianist Sid Hille (b. 1961) moved in Finland on 1994, setting first in Kokkola where he worked as the director of the jazz department of Pohjanmaa Conservatory, teaching the jazz piano and composition. Before this the cosmopolitan pianist had lived in the U.S. and Holland. Hille trained in Utrecht, at Utrecht School of the Arts, from where he graduated with his MA in 1993.
In the 2000s he has mainly worked as a musician and composer, writing for big bands, chamber orchestras and film. In 2008, he won the first price in the Italian composition competition, Scrivere in Jazz, for his big band piece, “Tango mòrbido y cìnico”. His score for Saara Cantell’s film, Kohtaamisia, was nominated for the Finnish Jussi prize in 2011.
Sid Hille Camerata
12 Apr at 18 Länsi-Helsingin musiikkiopisto, free entry
15 Apr at 19 Temppeliaukio church (premiere), tickets 15/10 €
17 Apr at 15 Pitsku culture church, tickets 15/10 €
7 May at 18 Kauniainen New Pavilion, tickets 15/10 €
On stage: Maija Linkola (violin), Elina Viitasaari (violin), Lotta Poijärvi (viola), Markus Hohti (cello), Sid Hille (piano)
Sid Hille, 350. solo concert
4 May at 10 Temppeliaukio church, free entry
SH5 (Sid Hille Quintet) plays ”Tribute to the Platypus”
14 May at 21 Koko Jazz Club, tickets 18/10 €
On stage: Verneri Pohjola (trumpet), Manuel Dunkel (sax), Sid Hille (piano), Jori Huhtala (bass), Teppo Mäkynen (drums)
Sid Hille Contemporary Collective
21 May at 21 Koko Jazz Club, tickets 18/10 €
On stage: Teemu Viinikainen (guitar), Heikki Nikula (bass clarinet), Sid Hille (piano & electronics), Markus Hohti (cello & electronics) & special guest Mika Kallio (drums)