Jussi Fredriksson, one of the central figures in today’s Finnish jazz scene, has recently formed a new trio with bassist Jori Huhtala and drummer Mika Kallio. Their debut album ?explores the positive and empowering aspects of uncertainty. Stylistically, the group goes for a warm living room feels.
Jussi Fredriksson Trio releases a new album on 24 October on Fredriksson’s own Fredriksson Music label, which forms part of the Jazz HUG collective. The enigmatically entitled album, ?, presents a debuting trio, composed of Jussi Fredriksson on the piano, Jori Huhtala on the bass and Mika Kallio on the drums. This so-called "question mark album" includes seven new compositions by pianist Fredriksson. The two launching shows will be held in Southern Finland: on 24 October at Café Tiljan, Turku, hosted by Flame Jazz, and on 26 at Malmitalo in Helsinki.
As the title, or non-title, hints, the trio approaches the theme of uncertainty on their debut release. Fredriksson’s primary inspiration for the recording has been the following maxim which he spotted in the book Taikatalvi by Tove Jansson: “Everything is essentially uncertain, and it is precisely that which makes me calm.” Instead of seeing the unpredictability of life as a threat, Fredriksson approaches the theme from a positive angle: “Uncertainty has nothing to with personal flaws or lack of self-confidence in this context”, says the composer, “rather, the album celebrates the empowering sides of uncertainty and the openness that is vital for creative thinking.”
As to the production, Fredriksson has aimed at a dry but warm living-room sound – a conscious step away from the often-heard piano trio sound dominated by a generous use of echo effects and a sense of distance. The outcome is an albumful of immediate, balanced and timeless modern jazz. In addition to the album-launching shows, Fredriksson can be heard live on 8 December at Aleksanterin teatteri, at the We Jazz 2014 event, where he plays a rare solo gig.
Jussi Fredriksson (b. 1980) is one of the handymen of Finnish jazz. In addition to working actively as a musician, he coordinates the concert series Flame Jazz in Turku, co-runs the Jazz HUG collective, and acts as the manager of Fredriksson Music label and the vice-chairman of the Finnish Jazz Federation. Currently, he leads three active groups; Jussi Fredriksson Trio, Fredator and Jussi Fredriksson Jazz Wars, and belongs to several major Finnish jazz bands, such as Nassaun Fasaani, Aura Flow and Koko Jazz Orchestra, as a sideman. Bassist Jori Huhtala (b. 1984) will soon release his debut as a leader with Jori Huhtala 5. The sought-after bassist plays in a number of other groups, including Kvalda, Big Blue, Raoul Björkenheim Ecstasy and Jussi Fredriksson Jazz Wars. Mika Kallio (b. 1974) is unarguably one of the stylistically most versatile drummers in Finland, who adapts to any genre with his signature nuanced bravura. Kallio’s recent own projects include Kallio Slaaki, whose debut came out in 2013. Kallio wields the drumsticks in such groups as Teemu Viinikainen Trio, Nuijamiehet, Gourmet and Kari Ikonen & Karikko.
http://www.jazzhug.com/artist/jussi-fredriksson-trio/
http://www.jussifredriksson.com
Jussi Fredriksson Trio: ?
Fredriksson Music / Jazz HUG FRMCD012 (release date 24 Oct 2014)
1. Why / 2. Chat With a Bass Drum / 3. Uuno Walk / 4. Aei-Man Kaeki / 5. Keep It Real / 6. Dudi Dudi / 7. Confusion Part II
Jussi Fredriksson, piano / Jori Huhtala, basso / Mika Kallio, rummut
Compositions, production: Jussi Fredriksson
Jussi Fredriksson Trio live
Fri 24 Oct at 9:00PM Turku, Flame Jazz / Café Tiljan
Sun 26 Oct at 5.00PM Helsinki, Malmitalo
Jussi Fredriksson Solo Piano
Mon 8 Dec at 7:00PM Helsinki, We Jazz 2014 / Aleksanterin Teatteri