FMQ - Antti Lötjönen Articles

Lötjönen’s dazzling jazz circus

Lötjönen’s dazzling jazz circus

Lötjönen’s dazzling jazz circus

The raucous, playful spirit of Charles Mingus hovers over the second album from jazz bassist Antti Lötjönen’s quintet.

Wif Stenger

February 23, 2023

Stoking a quiet fire

Stoking a quiet fire

Stoking a quiet fire

"The music can smoulder for lengthy passages but the flame eventually burns bright."

Kevin Le Gendre

April 14, 2022

Chamber music series fostering continuity

Chamber music series fostering continuity

Chamber music series fostering continuity

Hietsu is Happening! runs on the logic of improvisation, while Helsinki Seriös has ambitions to become a new cornerstone of the chamber music scene. Both are examples of how non-institutional concert organisers can foster continuity. There is plenty of demand for small-format concerts out there, even if bringing marginal music offerings and audiences together is tedious and time-consuming.

Auli Särkiö-Pitkänen

March 4, 2022

To boldly go where no man has gone before

To boldly go where no man has gone before

To boldly go where no man has gone before

"Divided Horizon starts ever so gently yet progresses rapidly towards a more forceful and playful expression. High on logic but never too calculated, Rissanen eases himself into the role of a weathered storyteller as the album flows along."

Petri Silas

October 28, 2021

Jazz tradition with modern spices

Jazz tradition with modern spices

Jazz tradition with modern spices

"Riitta Paakki and her band never show off. They work together admirably well, delivering a delightful musical experience."

Marita Nyrhinen

April 8, 2021

Free bass – Antti Lötjönen steps out of the shadows

Free bass – Antti Lötjönen steps out of the shadows

Free bass – Antti Lötjönen steps out of the shadows

Bassist Antti Lötjönen is one of the busiest Finnish jazz players, having played on well over 100 records, and in dozens of groups. His solo debut was released in April, just a day before Lötjönen turned 40. This summer, touring will have to wait, but Lötjönen doesn’t mind the breather. In Wif Stenger’s interview, the bassist talks about his music and team playing.

Wif Stenger

May 20, 2020

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

"The trumpeter and composer embraces new settings and situations as a hired gun yet also frequently seeks to shed his skin in the projects he leads or co-leads."

Petri Silas

April 16, 2020

Conceptualist rather than composer

Conceptualist rather than composer

Conceptualist rather than composer

"Constantly looking for the sweet spot where a rough sketch turns into something concrete, Mäkynen is all about moods and the subtle shifts in between them."

Petri Silas

April 16, 2020

A trio in transit

A trio in transit

A trio in transit

"Bold openings, world class piano playing and top shelf compositions aside, the real showstopper on Art in Motion is the intricate interplay and collective chemistry."

Petri Silas

November 7, 2019

The power of words – and music

The power of words – and music

The power of words – and music

"While the melodies appear timeless and uncomplicated, the performances are pure Ilmiliekki – that is, contemporary jazz with a Nordic twist."

Jan-Erik Holmberg

March 7, 2019

Mo’ Better Lassy

Mo’ Better Lassy

Mo’ Better Lassy

"Concerning the musical styles on this record, Lassy & co. most likely has faith in the old proverb saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Jan-Erik Holmberg

October 3, 2018

Hard bop, soft touch

Hard bop, soft touch

Hard bop, soft touch

"The interplay between the hard-charging and the low-key provides a tantalising backdrop for Paakki’s masterful playing and compositions."

Wif Stenger

October 3, 2018

Aki Rissanen presents: The Idea of Another North

Aki Rissanen presents: The Idea of Another North

Aki Rissanen presents: The Idea of Another North

Solo albums, piano trio work and extensive efforts as a sideman both locally and globally made Aki Rissanen one of the leading Finnish jazz pianists of his generation. Now his new album seems to be catapulting him to the top of the heap.

Petri Silas

April 12, 2018

The heavy meta of Teppo Mäkynen

The heavy meta of Teppo Mäkynen

The heavy meta of Teppo Mäkynen

Displaying Mäkynen’s love for trad jazz and his roots in hip hop and sampling, Form is a calm and collected trip through uncharted territories.

Petri Silas

December 15, 2017

Strong as ever

Strong as ever

Strong as ever

As witnessed both on Verneri Pohjola’s Bullhorn and Aki Rissanen Trio’s Amorandom, the musicians breathe together in a magic way. And with Another North, they push the envelope of band ESP even further.

Petri Silas

December 15, 2017

Bop goes cool

Bop goes cool

Bop goes cool

Jukka Perko Tritone moves the onetime fierce music of Dizzy Gillespie to somewhat gentler realms, still not losing the original ideas and logics of the songs.

Jan-Erik Holmberg

June 8, 2017

The legacy continues

The legacy continues

The legacy continues

Holding a mirror up to the past can be burdensome. But it can also be a revelation. Both applied to trumpeter Verneri Pohjola as he took the bull by the horns last year and interpreted his father’s music at the Viapori Jazz Festival and at the Tampere Jazz Happening. No mean feat, as Pekka Pohjola (1952—2008) remains one of the revered icons of the 1970s European prog rock scene. The stakes were high but Verneri pulled the concerts off with flying colours.

Petri Silas

June 8, 2017

A perfect balance between restraint and abandon

A perfect balance between restraint and abandon

A perfect balance between restraint and abandon

Pierre Ringwald

January 8, 1985

Wayne’s world

Wayne’s world

Wayne’s world

"It’s quite uncommon for Finnish jazz musicians to play music by someone else. Paakki surprises by serving up a whole vinyl album with compositions by Wayne Shorter. "

Jan-Erik Holmberg

January 8, 1985