Koko Jazz Orchestra, formed by some of the foremost Finnish jazz musicians, celebrate the launch of their debut album with two gigs in Helsinki and Turku toward the end of the month. On the album, the eight-piece performs some new compositions by drummer Jussi Lehtonen and pianist Jussi Fredriksson. Capable of sounding like a miniature big band and smaller ensemble depending on a situation, Koko Jazz Orchestra is a refreshing line-up in the field of Finnish music.
Koko Jazz Orchestra was originally formed in 2012 to serve as the house band at the then newly-formed Koko Jazz Club in Helsinki. Now, the group releases their long-awaited debut, Presenting the Music of Jussi Lehtonen and Jussi Fredriksson, on 21 November 2014 on label Fredriksson Music. As the title suggests, the album displays the finesse of two major players of Finnish jazz, Jussi Lehtonen and Jussi Fredriksson, as composers. Both have written and arranged three pieces for the group, but also their input as instrumentalists can be enjoyed on the album. What these ingredients result in is a nuanced whole, a recording of fine Finnish jazz music that does not pale in comparison with international counterparts. Koko Jazz Orchestra plays two album-launching shows, first on 20 November at Koko Jazz Club in Helsinki, and second on 21 November at Café Tiljan, Turku, as a part of the Flame Jazz concert series.
The crew on KJO’s album represents the top of Finnish jazz. Trumpeter Tero Saarti, sax players Petri Puolitaival and Joonatan Rautio and trombonist Kasperi Sarikoski form a tight-knit horn section that knows how to pull on the same rope while possessing plenty of soloistic potential. The rhythm section consists, in addition to the composer pair Lehtonen and Fredriksson, of the young double-bass talent Eero Seppä and veteran percussionist Tapio “Mongo” Aaltonen.
The orchestra can be positioned somewhere in between a big band and a small ensemble. The four-member horn section and the rhythm section that has been extended by a percussion player enable the group to introduce some big band influences and textures into their music. Jussi Lehtonen’s Latin-influenced compositions have edge and speed, while his “Ballad For Loila” lures a softer side out of the orchestra. Jussi Fredriksson’s nuanced compositions rely on solid swing and their abrupt twists inspire imaginative soloistic performances.
Jussi Lehtonen (b. 1977) is known from his energy, swing and sensitivity as a jazz musician. He has released two solo albums Firstborn (2009, Texicalli) and This Time (2013, Prophone), which feature such international names as Tim Hagans and Jesse van Ruller. His latest project was the 2014 collaboration album, Aki Rissanen//Jussi Lehtonen Quartet featuring Dave Liebman (2014, Ozella). Lehtonen has been seen on stage with a number of notable international jazz musicians, the most recently with Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer and Frank McComb. Lehtonen is one of the founders of Koko Jazz Club, currently acting as the Artistic Director jointly with Timo Hirvonen.
Jussi Fredriksson (b. 1980) is one of the major figures of Finnish jazz. Awarded with the annual recognition prize by Finnish Musicians’ Union this year, Fredriksson is both an active musician and a player behind the scenes. The Turku-based Flame Jazz concert series run by Fredriksson was the winner of this year’s Varjo-Yrjö prize. In addition to Koko Jazz Orchestra’s debut, Fredriksson appears on the new albums by Jussi Fredriksson Trio and Nassaun Fasaani. The internationally acclaimed musician leads and features as a sideman in several top groups, such as Fredator, Jussi Fredriksson Jazz Wars, Aura Flow and D-Booster, and has performed with such international stars as Jerry Bergonzi, Tim Hagans, Rick Margitza and Norrbotten Big Band.
Koko Jazz Orchestra: Presenting the Music of Jussi Lehtonen and Jussi Fredriksson Fredriksson Music FRMCD013 (release date: 21 November 2014) Distributed by: Playground Music
1. The Opening (Lehtonen) / 2. Chillin´ (Lehtonen) / 3. Ballad For Loila
(Lehtonen) / 4. Chat With a Bass Drum (Fredriksson) / 5. Why Not (Fredriksson) / 6. Tutuntuttu (Fredriksson)
Tero Saarti, trumpet / Petri Puolitaival, alto saxophone / Joonatan Rautio, tenor saxophone / Kasperi Sarikoski, trombone / Jussi Fredriksson, piano / Eero Seppä, bass / Jussi Lehtonen, drums / Mongo Aaltonen, percussion
Compositions, produced by Jussi Lehtonen ja Jussi Fredriksson
Koko Jazz Orchestra live 2014:
Thu 20 Nov at 8:00PM Koko Jazz Club, Helsinki
Fri 21 Nov at 10.00PM Flame Jazz / Café Tiljan, Turku
www.jussilehtonen.net
www.jussifredriksson.com
www.kokojazz.fi