Inspired by Finnish poems, vocalist Mirja Mäkelä’s trio released their new album My Hidden Joys in October 2015. Now the group plays the new material in an album-launch concert as a part of the Rytmihäiriöklubi club series, at Helsinki’s Juttutupa.
Formed by three old hands of Finnish jazz, Mirja Mäkelä Trio issued their anticipated sophomore, My Hidden Joys, in October and is now to bring some light to the mid-winter darkness by celebrating the album at Ravintola Juttutupa, in Helsinki. Aptly, the group’s tenth anniversary, too, coincides with the release of the recording, doubling the reason to party. What is more, it has already been confirmed that the trio will be touring Finland on an extensive tour co-produced by the Finnish Jazz Federation. The tour dates and venues will be confirmed in the summer.
Founded in 2006, Mirjä Mäkelä Trio mainly performs compositions penned by their leader and based on verse by Finnish poets, including the likes of Kirsi Kunnas, Sanna Karlström and Heimo Hatakka. The group has been praised for inventive and fresh writing and arrangements, unusual instrumentation and immediate but captivating presence. The first album for Mäkelä as a leader was the 2000 release Secret Playground, consisting of songs in English. The release was shortlisted among the most memorable jazz albums of the year by the leading Finnish newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat. On her third album, Runoisa (2008), she moved on to Finnish poems, presenting the crew to whom she is still counting on today. The new album, made with the trusted colleagues guitarist Teemu Viinikainen and bassist Juho Kivivuori, is a fresh and atmospheric effort, on which all three virtuoso players get their share of the spotlight. So do the pieces – altering between tenderly atmospheric and friskily swinging.
The members are more than familiar to friends of Finnish jazz. The very first student ever to graduate from the Sibelius Academy with a Master of Arts degree in jazz voice, Mirja Mäkelä has made a long career as a singer and composer in such groups as JimJamMurMur, The Helsinki Koto Ensemble and Jazzsiskot. Also a trusted teacher, she has taught both in her previous seat of learning, Sibelius Academy, and acted as the director of the pop and jazz department of the Espoo Music Institute since 2007. Onto the guitar Mäkelä has recruited virtuosic instrumentalist Teemu Viinikainen, known for his nuanced, lyrical touch. Viinikainen is a strong presence in such groups as Jukka Perko Jazztet and Panu Savolainen Toivo and he has also played in several bands led by Eero Koivistoinen and Jukkis Uotila. Bassist Juho Kivivuori, more regularly heard on the bass guitar, completes the trio. Good work in Nassaun Fasaani, Ketola Rewired and D-Booster and in Olli Hirvonen’s, Joonas Haavisto’s and Aleksi Ranta’s bands has catapulted Kivivuori into the league of Finland’s most sought-after jazz bassists in recent years. With this crew, Mäkelä’s trio is capable of both ends – tenderest shades and explosive improvisation – and everything in between.
MIRJAMÄKELÄ TRIO: My Hidden Joys
Secret Music 2015 (SMCD002, release date 31 Oct 2015)
Distribution: Helsinki Jazz Underground/Playground
1. Vaivihkaa (comp. Mirja Mäkelä, lyrics Heimo Hatakka) / 2. Riisuit minut (comp. Mirja Mäkelä, lyrics Irja Askola) / 3. Auringonkukkia (comp. Mirja Mäkelä, lyrics Kirsi Kunnas) / 4. Nautin salaa (comp. Mirja Mäkelä, lyrics Heimo Hatakka) / 5. Kevättalvi (comp. Mirja Mäkelä) / 6. Souls (among us) (comp./lyrics Mirja Mäkelä) / 7. Erotessa (comp. Mirja Mäkelä, lyrics Eino Leino) / 8. Että ihmisellä on tunteet (comp. Mirja Mäkelä, lyrics Sanna Karlström) / 9. New Year (comp. Teemu Viinikainen, lyrics Mirja Mäkelä) / 10. Blackbird (Lennon-McCartney) / 11. All I want (Joni Mitchell)
Mirja Mäkelä, laulu / Teemu Viinikainen, kitara / Juho Kivivuori, kontrabasso
MIRJA MÄKELÄ TRIO LIVE
Wed 20 Jan at 21 Helsinki, Juttutupa, Rytmihäiriöklubi, free entry!
www.facebook.com/mirjamakelatrio/