Two guitars and a saxophone, Jukka Perko Avara is an unusual dream team that has no seams and knows no bounds. The group’s new album will be available through on of the biggest European jazz labels, the German ACT Music, on 27 May, and a launch party will take place on the brand new G-Livelab club in Helsinki.
Formed by the eponymous saxophonist and guitarists Jarmo Saari and Teemu Viinikainen, Jukka Perko Avara issues their sophomore on 27 May. Coming out on ACT Music, Invisible Man adds twelve new songs to the tight-knit brotherhood’s repertory. Avara’s serene, open musical spheres come into being at the meeting point of Perko’s alto and soprano saxophones and Saari’s electric and Viinikainen’s acoustic guitars. The outfit launches their album on Friday 10 June at the brand new club, G-Livelab, in Helsinki.
Meaning ‘spacious’ or ‘open’ in Finnish, the trio’s name is descriptive of their musical style. With the two guitarists weaving luminous, airy textures and Perko’s sax colouring it with singing, melodic lines Avara is about kinship and a deeper level of communication. From the introspective meditativeness of the title track to the intensive build-ups of “He Left the Road”, Avara manages to treat every piece with a characteristic subtleness.
“I believe that my purpose in life – both as a musician and man – is to be reborn as the person that I really are”, says Jukka Perko. “For me, our music acts as the mirror that reflects these hidden, invisible and hushed sides and helps me on my mission. Invisible Man is a farewell to the past; it’s dedicated to everyone who feels that they fail to become heard or seen as the people who they are.”
The upcoming disc comprises twelve tracks, nine of which are originals. The three loans have been handpicked from Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel and Gabriel Fauré and rearranged for Avara’s the unusual instrumentation and sound. Avara debuted in 2012 on a self-titled album, which was released by EMI Blue Note. The established trio’s church concerts, focussing on new versions of traditional Finnish hymns, have drawn full houses, but with the new album under their belt, they are more ready for the continent than ever: a German tour has already been confirmed for autumn.
Jukka Perko Avara: Invisible Man
ACT Music CD 9819-2, 2016 (release date: 27 May)
Distributor: Oy Fg-Naxos Ab
1. Invisible Man (Teemu Viinikainen) / 2. Like Father Like Son (Teemu Viinikainen & Jukka Perko) / 3. Tears In Heaven (Eric Clapton & Will Jennings) / 4. He Left the Road (Jukka Perko, Jarmo Saari & Teemu Viinikainen) / 5. Pimento (Teemu Viinikainen & Jukka Perko) / 6. Sweet Solitude (Teemu Viinikainen) / 7. Nameless Angel (Jukka Perko) / 8. Awakening (Jukka Perko) / 9.Helmi (Jarmo Saari) / 10. Open Door (Jarmo Saari & Jukka Perko) / 11. Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel) / 12. Pavane (Gabriel Fauré)
Jukka Perko, alto and soprano saxophone / Jarmo Saari, electric guitar / Teemu Viinikainen, acoustic guitar
Jukka Perko Avara
Invisible Man Album Launch Show
Fri 10 Jun at 19:00 (doors at 18.30)
G-Livelab (Pieni Roobertinkatu 16, Helsinki)
http://www.jukkaperko.com
http://www.actmusic.com