Finnish jazz in Greece

Samuli Mikkonen & 3 HENKEÄ (3 spirits) plays jazz in Athens on Sunday 3rd June at 9 pm. in City of Athens Cultural Centre Technopolis, Pireos 100, Gazi. Admission free.

Samuli Mikkonen & 3 HENKEÄ have acquired a reputation of a pièce-de-résistance in contemporary Finnish jazz. Just to mention the magnificent release 'Samuli Mikkonen & 7 HENKEÄ ' (2003), recognised by critics in Europe and Japan; their numerous appearances on radio and TV, or their performance at Tampere Jazz Happening which was broadcast via EBU network all over Europe. Besides their ensemble work, members of the band are often featuring on different projects - including Sakari Kukko's lauded and successful hymn album "Virret - spirituals from the North" and collaborations with top Nordic and international jazz musicians.

History of the foursome starts in 2001 when Mikkonen, Krokfors and Kallio, already a recognised and acclaimed piano trio, turned to reedman Sonny Heinilä to add a more linear dimension, different colours and a new level of interaction to their existing style. Consequently the group's sound, reminiscent of the Scandinavian improvisers of the 70's, was further strengthened and refined by subtle influences from traditional Arab music, Andrei Tarkovsky, the band's Fenno-Ugrian roots, and mid-20th century modernism.

History of the foursome starts in 2001 when Mikkonen, Krokfors and Kallio, already a recognised and acclaimed piano trio, turned to reedman Sonny Heinilä to add a more linear dimension, different colours and a new level of interaction to their existing style. Consequently the group's sound, reminiscent of the Scandinavian improvisers of the 70's, was further strengthened and refined by subtle influences from traditional Arab music, Andrei Tarkovsky, the band's Fenno-Ugrian roots, and mid-20th century modernism.

Samuli & 3 HENKEÄ are individual, strong personalities, unified in form and balance, exceptionally talented improvisers; their collective vigour has an infectious spirit, their sound is rich in intensity and expression. Their performances have a natural flow; exuberant and rhythmically complex, they combine open form improvisation with strong composition into a recognisable sound of their own.

Written by Nikolina Smaling 2006

7th European Jazz Festival(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Samuli Mikkonen(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)