On this extraordinary double-header tour Jorma Tapio’s organic and primitive, potent but delicate free jazz meets Pauli Lyytinen’s postmodern, wild and experimental intuition. The two saxophonists lead their combos to seven venues in Finland and Estonia.
The spring season of the Finnish Jazz Federation sees two potent, special groups, Jorma Tapio & Kaski and Pauli Lyytinen Machinery, hit the road in March. Both groups have timed the release of their debut albums at the time of the tour and will be treating us to their new material in six concerts around Finland and one in Estonia. Kaski, led by veteran saxophonist Jorma Tapio, is a trio with Ville Rauhala on the bass and Simon Laihonen on the drums, while Machinery is the one-man solo project of the Elifantree-saxophonist, Pauli Lyytinen. Different and yet complementary, the final interplay of the two performances will surely remain a mystery to everyone until 9 March when the tour is kicked off at Kajaani’s Kouta-sali.
Jorma Tapio & Kaski couple raw energy with tenderly melodious moments in their blend of free jazz. Influenced by folk and even classical music, the majority of their compositions comes from the pen of the leader-saxophonist Jorma Tapio. An experienced artist and leader of several groups of his own, Tapio is known for his strong presence in the influential outfit Sound & Fury and for his collaboration with Norwegian drummer-percussionist Terje Insungset. The rhythm section is composed of Black Motor troupers, bassist Ville Rauhala and drummer Simo Laihonen. Jorma Tapio & Kaski issue their debut, Ghatika, on 13 March on the Pori-based Karkia Mistika Records.
Pauli Lyytinen, the enfant terrible of Finnish jazz, will join Kaski on the tour bus, presenting his solo project Machinery. Combining composed material with improvisation, Machinery is about exploring the possible worlds of saxophone-playing. Lyytinen’s multi-layered soundscapes are made of daring soloism and percussive sounds and enhanced with live electronics and loops. Like Jorma Tapio & Kaski, this astonishingly versatile and seamlessly working one-man machine will hit the road with a freshly-issued debut in his pocket: Machinery is due out on Eclipse Music on 11 March.
Founded in 1966, the Finnish Jazz Federation is the umbrella organisation of Finnish jazz and the largest body to promote the interests of Finnish jazz culture in Finland. The organisation produces tours and the annual Jazz-Espa Festival and hosts the database Jazz Finland and the Jazzkahvit Facebook group – a discussion arena for Finnish jazz professionals. The Federation also represents Finnish jazz in national cultural and political debates. 2016 sees the organisation celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Pauli Lyytinen Machinery teaser:
Jorma Tapio & Kaski and Pauli Lyytinen Machinery on Finnish Jazz Federation Tour 9 –19 March
Wed 9 Mar at 19 Kajaani, Kouta-sali
Thu 10 Mar at 19 Raahe, Raahe City Theatre
Fri 11 Mar at 21 Tallinna, Teater NO99
Sat 12 Mar at 22 Turku, Flame Jazz Club / Café Tiljan, Åbo Svenska Teater
Sun 13 Mar at 18 Pori, Validi Karkia Club / at Pori Main Library with Léo Dupleix (FRA)
Thu 17 Mar at 21 Jyväskylä, Poppari
Fri 18 Mar at 20 Kuopio, King's Crown
Sat 19 Mar at 20 Joensuu, Teatteriravintola
JORMA TAPIO & KASKI
Jorma Tapio, saxophones & bass clarinet & flute / Ville Rauhala, bass / Simo Laihonen, drums
PAULI LYYTINEN MACHINERY
Pauli Lyytinen, saxophones & effects
Photo: Anne Kalliola