American vocalist Joyce Elaine Yuille who collaborated with Timo Band on her latest solo album, team up again for three concerts in Southern Finland on 3 - 5 Feburary.
Timo Lassy Band, a veritable dream-team of Finnish jazz, joins forces with American vocalist Joyce Elaine Yuille this February, giving collaborative concerts at the Tampere-talo in Tampere, Sello Hall in Espoo and Club Dubrovnik in Helsinki. We will be in for a hefty dose of jazz with a hint of soul and an anticipated return from the dazzling Yuille to Finnish stages after a handful of sensational shows a year or so back. Timo Lassy Band, whose most recent recording came out last spring, back Yuille on her 2015 album Welcome to My World. The album was also produced by Lassy.
Saxophonist Timo Lassy is one of the brightest and most internationally acknowledged stars of Finnish jazz. A tight-knit unit, Lassy's team have so far released four studio albums and are known for their soulful, robust jazz sound. In addition to their leader, the group consists of Georgios Kontrafouris on the Wurlizer piano, Antti Lötjönen on the bass, Ville Pynssi on the drums and Abdissa Assefa on the percussion – each well-trusted and sought-after names. Their music, albeit being swinging and approachable, cherishes the essentials of its genre and aims high artistically – just like their seamless communication on stage embodies the dynamics of a well-functioning jazz group at its best.
Experienced and charismatic performer, American vocalist Joyce Elaine Yuille has found a perfect musical match in Lassy’s group. In addition to several collaborative concerts around Finland at, for example, the We Jazz Festival and Oulu’s Elojazz, the naturalness of this team-up has been recorded on Yuille’s solo album Welcome to My World, released on Schema Records. Yuille’s vocalism springs from the rich history of American vocal jazz and the rich music culture of her native neighbourhood, New York’s Spanish Harlem. Highlighting the effortlessness and joy of expression, she, indeed, describes her style with the words “nitty gritty”.
The last time that Timo Lassy Band came to international limelight was towards the end of 2015 when British media The Sunday Times shortlisted Lassy’s most recent album among the top ten jazz recordings of the year. The group gave their first shows in Great Britain last year, playing live at Brecon Jazz Festival and in London. In addition to the shows, Lassy appeared in the live sessions of the renowned lifestyle magazine, Monocle.
TIMO LASSY BAND W/ JOYCE ELAINE YUILLE LIVE
Wed 3 Feb at 19.30 Tampere-talo, Tampere, 24/27 €
Thu 4 Feb at 19 Sello Hall, Espoo, 25/27 €
Fri 5 Feb at 21.30 (doors 21:00) Dubrovnik Lounge & Lobby, Helsinki, 25/19 €
(+ service fees)
Joyce Elaine Yuille, vocals / Timo Lassy, sax / Georgios Kontarfouris, wurlitzer & organ / Antti Lötjönen, double bass / Ville Pynssi, drums / Abdissa Assefa, percussion
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