The first tour of the autumn marks the 80th anniversary of the versatile saxophonist-flautist Juhani “Junnu” Aaltonen; while another pioneering figure, saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen, will hit the road with his quartet just before the Christmas. As a counterbalance to these old veterans and the tenor saxophone, two co-produced tours feature young veterans: namely, the trumpet and piano-driven Ilmiliekki Quartet and the pianist Riitta Paakki’s trio.
Juhani Aaltonen Quartet 21 September – 4 October 2015
Juhani Aaltonen is unarguably one of the cornerstones of Finnish jazz with his lush and soulful tenor sax sound. “Junnu” will reach the honourable age of 80 this year; however, his instrument sings more movingly than ever before. On the Finnish tour, Aaltonen will be leading his quartet, composed of his bandmates from over the years. Drummer Reiska Laine is Aaltonen’s enduring partner in music and another grand old man of Finnish jazz. The bass is in the able hands of Ulf Krokfors, who is as much at home performing solo as with a big band, while Iro Haarla, who has earned her spurs in, for example, Edward Vesala’s Sound & Fury, occupies the pianist’s seat. The couple Krokfors/Haarla are also known for their excellent compositions.
Juhani Aaltonen Quartet has released one album, “Conclusions”, in 2010 on the label TUM Records. The title, indeed, is reflective of the maestro’s long career. However, room is left for the present too, represented by free improvisation, which the group embraces both live and on the recording. By the means of improvisation, meditation upon past is rendered relevant in the now.
Juhani Aaltonen – tenor saxophone and flute
Iro Haarla - piano
Ulf Krokfors – double bass
Reiska Laine – drums
Riitta Paakki Trio 12 – 25 October 2015
The Lahti native Riitta Paakki (b. 1971) has been a notable presence in the jazz life of the Helsinki metropolitan area for more than a dozen years. In addition to working as a jazz artist, Paakki has taught the jazz piano since the completion of her MA degree, first to minor students at the Sibelius Academy, and since 2006 at Ebeli, the pop/jazz department of the Espoo Music Institute.
Paakki has played in a number of Finnish groups over the years, and she debuted as a leader finally in 2013. Riitta Paakki Trio’s repertoire consists of Wayne Shorter’s compositions from the 1960s and his own Blue Note releases, and of some pieces that he composed for Miles Davis’s quintet and Art Blakey & The Jazz Messangers – all in Paakki’s clever arrangements for piano trio. This trio is all about the joy of playing and intimate give-and-take between the group members. Also, the traditional piano trio sound and swing can be counted among their trademarks. Riitta Paakki Trio will release their debut album in spring 2015 on the label Jaskaa.
“While the first impression of the group was Shorter’s 60s style, when it comes to arrangements Paakki has managed to give a facelift to many classic Shorter tunes. Playing standards always involves many risks, but in this case Paakki’s renderings of Shorter’s well-known – yet hardly well-worn – pieces offered familiarity and novelty in just the right proportion. For the listener, this meant moments of recollection and revelation alike. Good stuff! –Pasi Virtanen in his blog “Jazzpossu”
Riitta Paakki - piano
Antti Lötjönen - bass
Jaska Lukkarinen - drums
Ilmiliekki Quartet 2 – 15 November 2015
Ilmiliekki Quartet, who possess a rare gift of appealing to audiences across genre boundaries, has been in the vanguard of Finnish groups for over a decade. Having let their new material ripen with care, the band will release their next album in autumn 2015. Composed sections alternate with free improvisation in this close-knit group’s music, and themes are often branched out in rich communication between the band members. Ilmiliekki Quartet’s melodic and intensive expression speaks in a way that defies all barriers – be they generic or geographical.
In addition to their home country and Europe, the group has performed at Lincoln Center in New York, in Canada, at Brisbane Jazz Festival in Australia and in New Zealand. The have issued three albums, the latest of which, Vi sålde våra hemman, was made in collaboration with vocalist Emma Salokoski and it came out in 2009.
“You could feel that there was electricity in the air when Ilmiliekki Quartet returned from their long break. But as the saying has it, good things come to those who wait: the quartet rewarded the full house with an excellent show. That other projects had given new subtlety to each member’s expression was evident. It was both visible and audible that the group enjoyed being together again.” – Matti Komulainen, Turun Sanomat
Verneri Pohjola - trumpet
Tuomo Prättälä - piano
Antti Lötjönen - bass
Olavi Louhivuori - drums
Eero Koivistoinen Quartet 23 November – 6 December 2015
Eero Koivistoinen (1946) is one of the best-known Finnish jazz musicians and saxophonists of all time. “Koippa” first entered the scene in the mid-1960s. His first group was a trio formed with drummer Edward Vesala and bassist Pekka Sarmanto, and it was among the first Finnish jazz bands to explore the realms of avant-garde and free jazz. The newly-founded Finnish Jazz Federation soon awarded Koivistoinen with the first Yrjö Prize in 1967.
Since this, Koivistoinen has belonged to Finland’s most acclaimed and trusted jazz artists. Recognised for his versatility and creativity, Koivistoinen’s skills range from crisp solos to extensive orchestral works. In addition to his pioneering work in the field of jazz, he has composed music for TV, films and the radio. Possessing an unerring sense of style, he is also a sought-after guest on his junior colleagues’ recordings.
Eero Koivistoinen Quartet has been active in its current line-up since 2012. Composed of leading masters of their own instruments, the group plays primarily Koivistoinen’s lyrical and dynamic originals. In spite of its relatively recent formation, the group has already performed at several clubs in Helsinki and at Pori Jazz, Turku Jazz and Jazz Espa Festivals. The summer 2013 took them on tour to the United States. Last year was passed also in the preparation of their debut album, Hati Hati, due to come out on Svart Records in February 2015 on both CD and LP.
Eero Koivistoinen – tenor saxophone
Alexi Tuomarila - piano
Jori Huhtala – bass
Jussi Lehtonen – drums