Led by composer-arranger Rasmus Soini, the 18-piece Sointi Jazz Orchestra bring out their anticipated debut album on 21 May. Entitled Syntymä (Birth), the album is comprised of early material and will be available on CD, vinyl and in digital format. The group invites all fans to celebrate the effort at Koko Jazz Club on Sunday 29 May.
The Savonlinna-native Soini’s big band is a rare phenomenon in many ways in Finnish music circles. Not only is the group composed entirely of freelance musicians but it also defies stylistic pigeonholing. “It is my wish to bring something new to the tradition of big band music. As a composer, my point of departure is to write music that allows for each performer’s personal expression,” says Soini.
The pieces came together while Soini was living in Helsinki’s leafy suburb of Toukola. “The album has no one overarching theme but describing the music as organic is not wide off the mark,” explains the leader. “I was living close to nature at the time and this backdrop with its blackbirds and lush pathways definitely influenced the work and inspired, for instance, the track titles.”
The group sought some extra boost for the self-published album through a group funding campaign. In addition to the regular SJO crew, the album features singer Stina Koistinen of group Color Dolor, on vocals on track “Syntymäseudulleni” – a piece based on the Finnish translation of a poem by Sándor Petõf.
Sointi Jazz Orchestra premiered a new piece, "Saarnaaja", earlier this spring. It was composed specifically for the guest soloist Juhani “Junnu” Aaltonen, and Sointi Jazz Orchestra. The group has performed their interpretation of the classic Christmas play, Star Boys’ Singing Procession, at the past two Christmases and collaborated with saxophonist Jukka Perko on a new version of the hymn, "Hosanna, Davids son". Another previous project is the theatre production Juhlat, which combined drama and live jazz, in collaboration with the Ylioppilasteatteri.
Sointi Jazz Orchestra: Syntymä
Tracklist
1. Pyörä
2. Tor
3. Vedenpinta väreilee
4. Taivaan merkit
5. Montako fiktiota on fakta?
6. Syntymäseudulleni
Musicians: Petteri Hietamäki, Pekka Seppänen, Frans Thomsson, Janne Saarinen, Max Zenger, Teemu Mattsson, Tomi Nikku, Jose Mäenpää, Jasmin Afaneh, Ilkka Hongisto, Mikko Haanpää, Panu Luukkonen, Matti Vuolahti, Kenneth Ojutkangas, Aleksis Liukko, Kaisa Mäensivu, Siiri Partanen, Stina Koistinen and Antti Kolehmainen.
Recorded and mixed by Mikko Renfors. Mastered by Jaakko Viitalähde.
Album launch show
29 May at 5:00PM Koko Jazz Club (Hämeentie 3, 00530 Helsinki)
Tickets 18/15 €
Pre-tickets available on http://www.tiketti.fi
Event on Facebook
http://www.sointijazzorchestra.com | https://www.facebook.com/sointijazzorchestra/