The Vapaat äänet tour in late September will offer a wild mix of new jazz and improvisation as the American-Finnish trio Sir Garrison and the French trio The Litany of The Peaks hit the road. Both trios will perform at five concerts from September 18th to 22nd in Helsinki, Loviisa, Joensuu, Äänekoski, and Savonlinna. In addition, Sir Garrison will be heard in Turku on September 11th and in Loimaa on September 26th. This marks the 35th tour produced jointly by Vapaat äänet and the Finnish Jazz Federation since 1996.
Since the beginning, Sir Garrison has been searching for a sound they can call their own. "The number three holds power," says bassist Nathan Francis. "When we play, each of us supports the others, creating a very distinctive and palpable conversation among the band members. Our music is a reflection of our respect for nature and each other."
The trio's power can be heard on their debut album Let’s Call This (2022), which was recorded on a remote island in Konnevesi. "We decided to record the album in a remote place in nature to free our sound from the hustle and bustle of the city. We wanted to produce a completely acoustic and as human and nature-oriented sound as possible," explains drummer Okko Saastamoinen.
Sir Garrison's music is composed by the band members, with saxophonist Sami Leponiemi contributing the most to the music. "Sir Garrison combines all of our individual playing styles. Everyone respects each other's ideas, and in this way, individuals complement each other, producing an intimate, honest, and captivating collective sound."
La Litanie des Cimes, which translates to "The Litany of the Peaks," is an acoustic trio founded by violinist Clément Janinet in 2019. The trio includes clarinetist Elodie Pasquier and cellist Bruno Ducret. Their compositions, influenced by Janinet's repetitive music style, are built upon intertwined rhythmic textures, drawing inspiration from American minimalism and folk music. Their pieces leave ample room for improvisation. The trio enjoys exploring extended musical arcs and harmonic contemplation, often playing with seemingly slow tempos. La Litanie des Cimes was one of the winners of the prestigious Jazz Migration touring program in 2020. Their debut album received critical acclaim, and their second album, Woodlands, is set to be released on September 22nd by the Hungarian Budapest Music Center.
Clément Janinet, a graduate of violin legend Didier Lockwood's school in 2007, is a versatile musician in the French jazz scene. In recent years, he has gained attention for his innovative ensembles, such as the quartet O.U.R.S. (Ornette Under The Repetitive Skies), founded in 2017. Janinet, a talented soloist, has collaborated extensively with African musicians, with bassist Etienne Mbappé & The Prophets being one of the most notable examples. Janinet has performed in over 700 concerts across 35 countries.
Sir Garrison (FIN-US)
Sami Leponiemi - saxophone
Nathan Francis - double bass
Okko Saastamoinen - drums
Facebook Page
The Litany Of The Peaks / La Litanie des cimes (FR)
Clément Janinet - violin, compositions
Elodie Pasquier - clarinet
Bruno Ducret - cello Official Website
New album "Woodlands" on BMC Records (September 22nd, 2023): Woodlands Album
Sir Garrison + The Litany Of The Peaks
- Mon, 18th September at 7:00 PM: Helsinki, Malmitalo / Malmijazz
- Tue, 19th September at 7:00 PM: Loviisa, Marilyn / Free Okapi
- Wed, 20th September at 7:00 PM: Joensuu, Pakkahuone / Jazzkerho 76
- Thu, 21st September at 7:00 PM: Äänekoski, Painotalo
- Fri, 22nd September at 7:00 PM: Savonlinna, kulttuurikellari / Olavin Jazz
Sir Garrison
- Mon, 11th September at 7:00 PM: Turku, Rica Bar / Monday Jazz Happening
- Tue, 26th September at 7:00 PM: Loimaa, Taidetalo
(The Litany of the Peaks will perform across Finland and Estonia)
Tour co-production: Vapaat äänet & Suomen Jazzliitto Supported by: MES, AJC, Adami, Institut Français, Centre National de la Musique, Spedidam
Bruno Ducret, Clément Janinet, Elodier Pasquier © Stan Augris