The winner of the 2014 We Jazz Rising Star Prize, the eleven-piece plays their eponymous leader’s compositions. The album-launching show takes place on 19 May at We Jazz club at Helsinki’s mbar.
The young generation of Finnish jazzers will get a dazzling new addition in their ranks as Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company releases their debut on 15 May on label Fredriksson Music. The group received the We Jazz Rising Star prize in December 2014, given that year for the second time. Playing the eponymous helmsman, Sarvanne’s, compositions, their live energy has already convinced a number of audiences and now the group brings out a seven-track disc of sprightly swinging jazz music. The album-launching show takes place at We Jazz Club at mbar on Tuesday 19 May, and later this year they can be seen on stage at the Viapori Jazz Festival and on Flame Jazz Cruise.
Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company’s music is a fresh cocktail of effortlessly rolling swing, moving melodies and echoes from the beat of the city of Helsinki. Despite their size, the group retains the freedom and agility of the small group, which enables each member’s own voice and distinctive personality to come to the fore.
Mikko Sarvanne (b. 1992) is a Helsinki-based jazz composer, conductor and guitarist. Sarvanne has recently become known as the conductor of the Hip Company and as the composer of the musical Hyvät ihmiset, produced by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. He majors in jazz composition at Sibelius Academy, the University of Arts Helsinki.
The release of the eponymous debut album is made possible with the We Jazz Rising Star prize: the group receives support from We Jazz and its sub brand, Hei Hei Media, in the planning, carrying out and marketing of the album.
“Awarding and helping a talented, up-and-coming jazz group to launch their career fits our philosophy well”, says Matti Nives, the Artistic Director for We Jazz. “As in the case of AR Quartet a year ago, Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company have convinced us of their eagerness to get ahead on their career and we are happy to support this active attitude. In addition to their strong artistic vision, the group is brimming with young, talent – we will, no doubt, hear from them in the future. I am also pleased about the fact that our co-operation with Fredriksson Music gets a second chapter.”
The album comes out on Fredriksson Music, a label managed by pianist Jussi Fredriksson. Fredriksson is as keen as Nives to put promising, up-and coming artists on the map of Finnish jazz. “We have a number of great young jazz bands in Finland, many of which are relatively unknown to the general audience. Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company is unarguably among them. I think that it is our duty as more experienced artists to give our support to the future stars. Fredriksson Music wants to be involved in furthering the cause of the Finnish jazz also in the future.
Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company / upcoming shows:
Album-launching show
We Jazz club, mbar (Mannerheimintie 22-24, Helsinki)
Tue 19 May at 8.00PM
+ We Jazz DJs
Free entry!
Viapori Jazz
Sat 29 August at 6.00PM, Tenalji von Fersen (Suomenlinna Island)
Tickets 25 €, pre-tickets available at Lippupalvelu
Further information: Viapori Jazz
Flame Jazz Cruise VII, Viking Grace (departs from Turku)
Sat 19 September at 8.55
Further information: Flame Jazz
Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company: Mikko Sarvanne Hip Company
Fredriksson Music 2015 (FRMCD015, release date 15 May)
Distribution: Playground Music
1. Forward (Bikin' Around) / 2. Varsapuistikko 8:00 (feat. Beibi P) / 3. Blues Can't Tell it All / 4. Night at the Avenue / 5. Song for Autumn intro / 6. Song for Autumn / 7. Outro
Mikko Sarvanne: compositions, arrangements, conduction
Joona Kilponen: trumpet / Tomi Nikku: trumpet / Kirsi-Marja Harju: trumpet, flugel horn / Miika Hyttinen: trombone / Frans Thomsson: alto sax / Ukko Heinonen: tenor sax / Erik Hippi: tenor sax, flute / Anni Thomsson: baritone sax / Teemu Kekkonen: piano / Mikael Saastamoinen: bass / Sami Nummela: drums
http://facebook.com/mikkosarvannehipcompany
http://www.fredrikssonmusic.com