Jukka Perko (Finland)

JUKKA PERKO 'AVARA' TRIO (Finland)

'Jukka Perko Avara Trio' led by the superb alto-saxophonist Jukka Perko, accompanied by two of Finland's finest guitarists, Teemu Viinikainen and Jarmo Saari.

Jukka Perko - www.jukkaperko.com - has made his mark previously on Australia in different ensemble formations at different music festivals, including Wangaratta Jazz Festival, and for years is regularly played on the national jazz and classical ABC radio programs. Jukka Perko's interpretations of Finnish hymns with soulful sincerity and simplicity have deeply touched European audiences for a whole decade and his albums have become landmarks.

Check the following YouTube clips from live concerts:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnE4GS3_7HU and
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxS48gLWFWU

View flyer (JPG) - Download flyer (PDF)

Jukka Perko's FINLANDIA TRIO (Finland)

Alto and Soprano Saxophonist Jukka Perko is one of Finland's and Europe's premier jazz artists, who first attracted attention in 1986, when as a teenager he made his debut at Finland's biggest jazz event, the Pori Jazz Festival. For 20 year since, he has worked as a professional jazz musician in a range of versatile projects crossing be-bop jazz, classical music and the Finnish tango. A master saxophonist and a fine collaborator and composer.

Severi Pyysalo also made his mark as a vibes player at the age of 16 at the Pori Jazz festival in 1984, when he was heard by Paquito D'Rivera and Sarah Vaughan. As a result, they invited him to sit in on their own sets and a minor legend was born. Two weeks later Pyysalo got his first gigs in the USA, including a stint at the Village Vanguard. Severi's development and amazing technique on the vibes as well as his beautifully melancholic compositional talents have made him one of the world's leading jazz players on the instrument, and with Jukka Perko in close companionship they have travelled the world.

Teemu Viinikainen studied at the prestigious Sibelius-Academy's jazz department in Helsinki where he finished his degree in 2004. In the last five years Teemu has played with almost every top jazz artist in Finland including many international visitors, and has become the country's busiest jazz guitarist.

Jukka Perko - alto/soprano sax
Severi Pyysalo - vibraphones
Teemu Viinikainen - guitar

www.jukkaperko.com

JUKKA PERKO's 'HURMIO ORKESTERI' (Finland)

'Hurmio' (means 'Ecstacy' in Finnish) plays interpretations of traditional Finnish music as well as original compositions by Jukka Perkko. The quartet with Jukka Perko on alto- and soprano sax, Manuel Dunkel on tenor sax, Lasse Lindgren on bass acoustic guitar and Teppo Makynen on drums, was the first Finnish jazz group to be released on Blue Note records in 2001.
Jukka Perko alto+soprano sax
Manuel Dunkel tenor sax
Lasse Lindgren bass guitar
Teppo Makynen drums

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www.jukkaperko.com