Signe’s music travels between the borderlines of jazz, modern music and audio drama. The band’s original sound is born from exceptional instrumentation: the vocalist of the ensemble are Riikka Keränen, Selma Savoilainen, Josefiina Vannesluoma and Kaisa Mäensivu, who also plays the double bass in the band.
Signe’s first full-length album To Sappho is based on the preserved fragments from the Greek poet Sappho. In addition to the compositions of Vannesluoma and Savolainen, the album features compositions from Mikko Sarvanne, who is known as the leader of Muovibabylon and Hip Company ensembles, and Sampo Kasurinen, whose works have been performed for example by UMO and Vantaan Viihdeorkesteri.
To Sappho honours the poetry of 20th century. The aesthetic development of modernism is hearable in the translations stretching from ornamental and stable forms of Bliss Carman and John Myers O’Hara to Mary Barnard’s elegant and Pentti Saarikoski’s charged interpretations. The last track of the album is Edith Södergran’s poem “Tulevaisuuteni” (Min framtid), translated by Pentti Saaritsa and composed by Josefiina Vannesluoma, and it features vibraphonist Panu Savolainen, who widens the ensemble’s sound by creating a diverse harmonic basis for the song.
Signe’s soundscape echoes between several layers through time, space and different narrators. The technical producing brings new dimensions to the band’s regular acoustic sound. The music flows in the scenery of jazz, modern music and folk. The album was recorded at Finnvox studio with record-producer Markus Kärki in last November.
Eclipse Music releases the new album on 22 of February on CD and digital format. In March the band is heading for Jazz Finland tour produced by Pia Raitala
Album release tour 2019
14.3. Helsinki, Koko Jazz Club
15.3. Iisalmi, Ravintola Raatihuone
16.3. Oulun Musiikkijuhlat, Kasvitieteellinen puutarha
17.3. Oulun Musiikkijuhlat, Oulun taidemuseo
18.3. Savonlinna, Kulttuurikellari
20.3. Ylistaro, Ravintola Taro
21.3. Salo, Bar Bizarre
22.3. Turku, Café Tiljan
24.3. Helsinki, Taidekoti Kirpilä
Tracklist
1. IN A DREAM (Josefiina Vannesluoma / Sappho, tr. Bliss Carman)
2. CRETAN GIRLS (Selma Savolainen / Sappho, tr. Mary Barnard)
3. PUHUN TOTTA (Selma Savolainen / Sappho, tr. Pentti Saarikoski)
4. ODE TO APHRODITE I (Mikko Sarvanne / Sappho, tr. John Myers O’Hara)
5. ODE TO APHRODITE II (Mikko Sarvanne / Sappho, tr. John Myers O’Hara)
6. ODE TO APHRODITE III (Mikko Sarvanne / Sappho, tr. John Myers O’Hara)
7. AMBROSIA (Josefiina Vannesluoma / Sappho, tr. Pentti Saarikoski)
8. SE KUULUU JUMALIIN (Josefiina Vannesluoma / Sappho, tr. Pentti Saarikoski)
9. O APHRODITE (Sampo Kasurinen / Sappho, tr. Bliss Carman)
10. TULEVAISUUTENI feat. Panu Savolainen (Josefiina Vannesluoma / Edith Södergran, tr. Pentti Saaritsa)
SIGNE
Riikka Keränen, vocals
Selma Savolainen, vocals
Josefiina Vannesluoma, vocals
Kaisa Mäensivu, double bass, vocals
www.vocalssigne.com
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Photo: Venla Helenius