The Finnish Musicians’ Union (Suomen Muusikkojen Liitto ry) has awarded jazz musician Jussi Fredriksson and orchestral musician Timo Pulakka with the annual recognition prize for their exceptional contribution to the field of Finnish music. Both are known as musicians who do more than is expected, for which each will receive the full prize amount of 5000 euros.
Pianist Jussi Fredriksson (b. 1980) started his career in Turku, but it has taken him all over the country and abroad and involved collaboration with a great number of top artists and groups. He has collaborated with the likes of Jukka Perko, Jukkis Uotila, Severi Pyysalo, UMO Jazz Orchestra, Oulu Sinfonia, Rick Margitza, Tim Hagans, Jerry Bergonzi and Norrbotten Big Band. In addition, he has played with some of the best-known Finnish popular music artists. Fredriksson also leads several outfits of his own; Jussi Fredriksson Trio, Jussi Fredriksson Jazz Wars and Fredator.
He has studied music in both Finland and abroad and is currently working as a teacher of piano and band playing. He is a postgraduate student at the Sibelius Academy.
Fredriksson has released seven albums as a leader, but in addition to his successful career as a musician he has thrived as a producer and music entrepreneur. The Flame Jazz Concert series, which he created and coordinates, is a good example of how limited resources can be harnessed in an effective way to both offer excellent concerts to the audience and employ a large number of professional musicians. The activity of Fredriksson’s own music company and that of the co-operative Helsinki Jazz Underground reaches from the Nordic and Baltic Countries as far as Japan and the United States.
Fredriksson’s work to further the status of jazz music in Finland has been noted not only in Finland but internationally as well. He possesses exemplary networking and organisational skills and knows how to make the most of limited resources, which sets a fine example to other professionals in the field of arts and culture.
Timo Pulakka (b. 1959) is the leader of the flute section in the orchestra of the Finnish National Opera, a versatile musician and a pedagogue. Pulakka has also played in Avanti and in the orchestra of Savonlinna Opera Festival, and acted as an assistant for the Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. He taught the flute for nearly ten years at Helsinki Conservatory. The completed his diploma from the Sibelius Academy in 1987.
The Finnish Musicians’ Union ry. grants the 37th recognition prize at Helsingin Musiikkimessut (Helsinki Music Fair) on 24 October 2014 at 12:00. The monetary prize, donated by Finnish Musicians’ Union ry. and Suomen Messusäätiö (Finnish Exposition Foundation), is 10 000 euros. The recognition prize is awarded for significant work within the union’s sphere of action.