Drummer Toni Porthén’s group Nassaun Fasaani will hit the road in October to celebrate the release of their album. The record-launching tour is producer by the Finnish Jazz Federation.
The jazz-funk group Nassaun Fasaani, founded in 2010, has let their material ripen properly before bringing out an album. However, on 19 September, this will finally happen when the debut, entitled Return, is released by Jazz HUG. Started by drummer Toni Porthén and sax player Joonatan Rautio, Nassaun Fasaani melds different elements of world music with those of jazz and related genres. Arranged with care and taste, the debut fuses softly rolling rhythms with electric funk - the result being nothing short surprising. The album also shows the two leading figures in a slightly new light, displaying Rautio’s talent as a composer and Porthén as a versatile producer.
Nassaun Fasaani is formed by some of the top talents in the Finnish jazz scene. The Kokkola native Porthén's career incorporates collaborations with jazz, funk and rock artists alike. In the field of jazz he is probably best-known from Lenni-Kalle Taipale Group and MP4, however, the general public remembers this virtuoso drummer’s face from singer Anna Abreu’s and rapper Redrama’s live bands. The Yrjö-awarded sax player Joonatan Rautio navigates as effortlessly in the field of music, gospel being one of his preferred genres, but his sovereign skill as a jazz saxophonist never fails to astonish. Pianist Jussi Fredriksson, also an influential producer, wields the Moog and the Rhodes, equipping Nassaun Fasaani with a touch of cool electricity. The rhythm section is complemented by Juho Kivivuori, the number one bass guitarist in Finland, and the percussion wizard Abdissa “Mamba” Assefa.
Nassaun Fasaani will celebrate the eagerly-awaited debut by touring Finland 9 to 18 October, including shows in Turku, Kajaani and Jyväskylä, for instance. Previously they have been seen at numerous festivals and clubs, such as Elojazz, DIG. Festival, Korpo Sea Jazz, Flame Jazz and Koko Jazz Club.
NASSAUN FASAANI
Toni Porthén - drums / Joonatan Rautio - saxophones, EWI, keys / Jussi Fredriksson - piano, Rhodes, keys / Juho Kivivuori - bass / Abdissa Assefa - percussion
NASSAUN FASAANI: RETURN
Fredriksson Music CD, release date in Finland 19 September 2014
Distribution: Playground, http://www.playgroundmusic.fi/
1. Vaillant / 2. Majira / 3. Wagtails / 4. Wanaajili / 5. Hidden / 6. Tarangire / 7. The Return of Fasan de Nassau
NASSAUN FASAANI LIVE
THU 9 Oct Lappeenranta, Restaurant Kolme Lyhtyä
FRI 10 Oct klo 21 Turku, Café Tiljan
SAT 11 Oct Raahe, Kruunumakasiinimuseo
WED 15 Oct Kajaani, Kaukametsä, Kouta hall
THU 16 Oct Jyväskylä, Poppari
FRI 17 Oct Kuopio, Musiikkikeskus, Jazzklubi (Music Centre, Jazz Club)
SAT 18 Oct Joensuu, Teatteriravintolan terassi (Teatteriravintola terrace)
http://www.jazzhug.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NassaunFasaani