Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Jarmo Saari’s band Republic releases a new EP, Helsinki mavericks, on 13 July. Helsinki mavericks is the ensemble’s first release on the German Membran record label. The band performs a record release concert at the Pori Jazz on 19 July.
Known as unprejudiced and open-minded composer Jarmo Saari and his Jarmo Saari Republic releases an EP of five new pieces on 13 July. Helsinki mavericks is a prelude to the ensembles comeback and will later be accompanied with a full length album. Jarmo Saari Republic performs their new material on record release concert at Pori Jazz, Kirjurinluoto’s Lokkilava on Thursday 19 July.
In addition to multi-instrumentalist Jarmo Saari, the ensemble’s sound bubbling with rhythmic energy, is provided by top-drummer Sami Kuoppamäki, Olavi Louhivuori and Abdissa “Mamba” Assefa. The EP offers this varied group a chance to show their jazz side and it also features another Membran artist, Timo Lassy, on two tracks.
The atmospheres on Helsinki maverics varies from rough jazz rhythm with big wind instruments to guitar-driven mood songs.The band released their debut in 2014 and has been preparing new material long and hard.
”The new coming of Republic is an incarnation worth all the trouble. The creative period lasted years and almost wore me out because we decided to shed our skin and aim outside the Finland too”, Jarmo Saari states. “We started from the beginning and caught fierce and stubborn tones on our way. In the end the whole concept was transformed to stronger and more open than before.”
Composer-musician Jarmo Saari (b. 1970) is one of the leading Finnish guitarists of his generation. He is known for his visual composing style and multilayered collages created by the electric guitar, human voice or several odd instruments, including theremin, baroque cello, trombone and, glassharp. He has composed music for films, television, theatre and modern dance productions and has worked as a artistic producer for several top-notch Finnish musicians. Saari has carried out his musical vision in diverse environments and collaborated with Jukka Perko, Tero Saarinen Company, Trilok Gurtu, Tapiolan kuoro, Pekka Kuusisto, Emma Salokoski, Felix Zenger, Meta4 -jousikvartetti, UMO Jazz Orchestra, Mika Kaurismäki, Pepe Deluxe, Esko Salminen ja Tuomari Nurmio, to name a few.
Jarmo Saari Republic: Helsinki mavericks
Digi (JSR01), julkaisupäivä 13.7.2018
Levy-yhtiö ja jakelu: Membran
1. Deranged Prologue / 2. Creole Wedding (feat. Timo Lassy) / 3. My Kinda Woman / 4. Deranged Vaudeville (feat. Timo Lassy) / 5. Saffron Tears (Dragomir)
Jarmo Saari Republic
Jarmo Saari - baritone guitar, vocals, taurus pedal, theremin, trombone, bass, percussion, keyboards
Olavi Louhivuori - drums
Abdissa Assefa - drums and percussion
+ Timo Lassy, saxophone (2. & 4.) / Petri Keskitalo, tuba (2. & 4.) / Jay Kortehisto, trombone (2.)
Recorded and mixed by Abdissa Assefa
Produced by Abdissa Assefa & Jarmo Saari
Jarmo Saari Republic live
to 19.7. klo 14.15 Pori Jazz, Lokkilava