Verneri Pohjola

"The dualism of serenity and restlessness on the one hand and the leaps of a monkey mind on the other can be found on the appropriately titled album Monkey Mind released by trumpet player Verneri Pohjola in November 2023," writes Santeri Kaipiainen.

Kaija Saariaho’s last work, trumpet concerto HUSH, was premiered by jazz trumpetist Verneri Pohjola and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in late August 2023. “Living and breathing together throughout the 65e-page score, the musicians and the fully packed audience were joined in musical ritual of rare depth and transformative beauty”, writes Jari Kallio.

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

Trumpeter Verneri Pohjola has spent this weird spring pretty much the same way as all professional musicians worldwide: Taking part in streamed concerts and honing his chops and working on new music at home. A recent highlight amidst the trying times was the whopping Down Beat review of his current album The Dead Don’t Dream. At FMQ‘s request, Verneri spoke to Petri Silas about the music that gives him solace and strength when the going gets tough.

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.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused an abrupt and total dissolution of the work opportunities and income of music professionals. Freelance musicians, concert venues and festivals have been the hardest hit, but the long-term impacts of the crisis will reverberate throughout the sector. FMQ talked to representatives of organisations in the field of music in Finland to gauge how they feel about the current situation and outlook. What have we learned about the music sector in the light of the crisis so far? Are there any potential positive outcomes?

"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."

"Dredging the murky depths of our base instincts, this music coerces the listener to gaze inside their very being."

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

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.

"A secret destined to come out globally sooner than not, Pauli Lyytinen is THE current Finnish jazzer to follow if woodwinds are your penchant."

Led by the startling voice of Anni Elif Egecioglu, Elifantree paints from an idiosyncratic palette, spattered with jazz and electronics. This Helsinki trio celebrates its 10th anniversary with new collaborations and a forthcoming album.

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.

Two jazz professionals, journalist Andreas Müller and label manager Dave Stapleton, had a brief chat about Finnish jazz prior to Jazzahead! 2017, the international jazz expo and showcase festival taking place from 27 until 30 April in Bremen, Germany.

Progress is all about trying out new things, as every forward-thinking artist intrinsically knows. Nevertheless, a case could be made that it is not enough if only the vanguard embraces the unknown. Perhaps all could take a page out of Pepa Päivinen, Janne Tuomi and other open-minded musicians’ book.

"Rubidium is a collaboration between the Tampere-based Black Motor trio and trumpeter Verneri Pohjola, and could be described as Finnish music in the classic sense. The rough soundscape on this album merges with soft melodies creating jazz that is at once barren and tender – just like the northern nature and mindscape."

"With his wanderlust at least temporarily sated, Pohjola returned to quartet form and hard bop on Ancient History three years ago. And this foundation he continues building on with the piquant Bullhorn."

...Staging six days of jazz at the beginning of the Christmas season was a risky undertaking, but We Jazz’s astute programming decisions made it work...

“Without an artist grant, I would not be able to work as intensely as I do. I am very grateful for the existence of this system and for being admitted into it. This has enabled me to do my own thing, and I am trying to use my time as well as I possibly can,” says trumpet player Verneri Pohjola, who released his new album this spring.