A strong young voice on the Finnish Jazz field, trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski's quintet goes on their first Finnish Jazz Federation tour on 19 - 30 January.
Bright and young, Kasperi Sarikoski Nuance hits the road on 19 on an eight-concert tour around Finland. Built around the eponymous trombonist, the group released their debut album Essence in spring 2015 to notable critical acclaim. The gifted quintet is composed of some of the most promising names of their generation who are not afraid to draw far and wide when it comes to musical influences. In addition to the leading man, the group consists of guitarist Jere Haakana, keyboardist Artturi Rönkä, bassist Vesa Ojaniemi and drummer Jonatan Sarikoski. The group will kick off their tour on Tuesday 19 January from Savonlinna and end it on Flame Jazz Cruise, casting off from Turku on 30 January.
Despite his young age, trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski (b. 1988) has been at the vanguard of Finnish jazz for a while, and indeed, it is no surprise that maturity and strong vision characterise the debut album, Essence. The quintet incorporates influences from a wide spectrum of musical genres from indie rock to electronic music, and the result is electronic jazz where today’s musical rhythms and expression shake hands with traditions of jazz.
As to genre fusion, the group’s approach is very much today. “Our influences range from Brad Mehldau to Radiohead, but pursuing what is fashionable in the music world today is not an end in itself. We simply aim at a strong and distinctive sound of our own. In the end, it is up to the audience to decide whether we have succeeded”, Sarikoski says.
In spite of the fact that all material is composed by Sarikoski, Nuance counts on ensemble-centered thinking. “We work as a band, first and foremost, when it comes to creating music. In fact, in this way Nuance resembles a short-term project,” says the trombonist.
Kasperi Sarikoski Nuance on the Finnish Jazz Federation Tour on 19 - 30 January
Tue 19 Jan at 20 Savonlinna, Wanha Kasino
Wed 20 Jan at 19 Kajaani, Kouta-sali
Thu 21 Jan at 20 Tornio, Kerhoravintola
Fri 22 Jan at 20 Oulu, Teatteriravintola
Tue 26 Jan at 19 Joensuu, Kerubi
Wed 27 Jan at 19 Kuopio, Satamankulma / Kallamarina
Thu 28 Jan at 20 Lappeenranta, Ravintola Kolme Lyhtyä
Sat 30 Jan at 20.55 Flame Jazz Cruise (casting off from Turku)
Kasperi Sarikoski, trombone / Jere Haakana, guitar / Artturi Rönkä, keys / Vesa Ojaniemi, bass / Jonatan Sarikoski, drums