The third album, Closure, is a bold, personal statement from the charismatic and adventurous vocalist. On the disc, she is backed by a pack of such A-listing Finnish jazzers as Jukka Eskola, Jori Huhtala and Petri Puolitaival.
Nina Mya, one of the freshest voices of the rising generation of Finnish jazz vocalists, releases her third album on 1 July on Fredriksson Music. Entitled Closure, the disc is a mature effort – a new strong chapter to Mya’s convincing CV. The album’s themes – knowing oneself and the strife for inner peace – are well in keeping with its style: Mya’s dark, gospel- and soul-influenced music departs refreshingly from the familiar Finnish sound. The album also introduces her new, stellar crew: trumpeter Jukka Eskola, saxophonist Petri Puolitaival, pianist Henri Mäntylä, bassist Jori Huhtala and drummer Tuomas Timonen. The album launching show takes place at Pori Jazz Festival on 15 July, in addition to which the group will perform at Jazzjatkot in Helsinki on 7 August and Turku Jazz Festival on 28 August.
“Closure is already my third album but no doubt the most significant one so far,” Nina Mya says. “With this album I feel, for the very first time, that there is nothing I would be at odds with or done differently. While nodding to such idols as Aretha Franklin and John Coltrane, the album pays homage to American vocal jazz on a more general level – including its strong undercurrent of gospel. This tradition can be heard in my influences Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson and Gregory Porter.”
The lyrics are by the leading lady, while in writing she has been assisted by saxophonist Petri Puolitaival. In addition to original material, the album features a few well-known classics – such as “Afro Blue” by Mongo Santamaria and the gospel evergreen “The Wayfaring Stranger” – in new arrangements. Mya’s strong presence and the classy swing of the new band are in the centre of the album.
Watch the video for "The Weight":
Nina Mya (b. 1989) is a Finnish jazz vocalist, composer and voice teacher. She has received numerous awards, including the Best Soloist of the Young Nordic Jazz Comets and the Pori Jazz Artist of the Year 2012. Having been described as a bridge-builder between traditional and modern vocal jazz, she masters both the technical acrobatics of jazz and the disarming soulfulness of gospel.
Nina Mya: Closure
Fredriksson Music 2016, FRMCD018 (release date 1 July.2016)
Distributor: Playground Music
1. The Wayfaring Stranger / Shades Of Blue 06:56 (trad. / Music & lyrics Nina Mya, Arr. Petri Puolitaival) / 2. The Weight 04:08 (Music & lyrics Nina Mya, Arr. Petri Puolitaival) / 3. Mine Alone05:44 (Music Nina Mya & Petri Puolitaival, Lyrics Nina Mya, Arr. Petri Puolitaival) / 4. Afro Blue 04:30 (Music Mongo Santamaria, Lyrics Oscar Brown, Arr. Nina Mya & Petri Puolitaival) / 5. After One Night 03:47 (Music & Arr. Petri Puolitaival, Lyrics Nina Mya) / 6. Too Painful To Talk About 05:42 (Music & Lyrics Nina Mya, Arr. Petri Puolitaival) / 7. Tenderly 05:13 (Music Walter Gross, Lyrics Jack Lawrence, Arr. Nina Mya) / 8. Hear Me Plead (Introduction) 02:20 (Music & Arr. Petri Puolitaival) / 9. Hear Me Plead 05:20 (Music & Arr. Petri Puolitaival, Lyrics Nina Mya) / 10.Gotta Be Free 05:02 (Music & Lyrics Nina Mya, Arr. Petri Puolitaival) / 11. Closure 05:07 (Music & Lyrics Nina Mya) / 12. Bonus Track: Dr. Feelgood (Love Is A Serious Business) 04:46 (Music & Lyrics Ted White & Aretha Franklin, Arr. Petri Puolitaival)
Nina Mya, vocals
Jukka Eskola, trumpet and flugelhorn / Petri Puolitaival, saxophone and alto flute / Henri Mäntylä, piano / Jori Huhtala, bass / Tuomas Timonen, drums
Nina Mya / Live
Pe 15 Jul Pori Jazz / Lokki Stage
Su 7 Aug Jazzjatkot / Allas Helsinki
La 20 Aug Turku Jazz Festival
21 Sep -1 Oct Finnish Jazz Federation Tour
La 24 Sep Flame Jazz Cruise 9
La 29 Oct Savoy Theatre, Helsinki
http://www.ninamya.com
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