Four Strong Voices of Finnish Jazz
Liberty Ship, formed in 2012, navigates the deep waters of free jazz and
improvised music in constant pursuit of liberated self-expression. Acclaimed
quartet of accomplished Finnish jazz musicians, pushing each musician to the
boundaries of their creative ability. Liberty Ship is without a doubt one of the
most exciting and adventurous projects to emerge from the booming Finnish
jazz scene.
Liberty Ship glides gracefully out of the mist on gently rolling waves, combining
the adventurous spirit and improvisation of free jazz to influences from
contemporary art music outside of jazz and a Nordic cool sensibility. Their
music is adventurous, mysterious, creative and unpredictable as the sea, but the
crew of Liberty Ship always stays together as a cohesive unit with a single
course and a unified vision, the prow firmly pointed toward the edge of the map
to uncharted waters. In addition to Pietilä, Liberty Ship consists of pianist Aki
Visionary composer and improviser Esa Pietilä (b.1964) is the captain of Liberty
Ship. His original style is firmly rooted in the avant-garde and free jazz
traditions. From solo saxophone to small combos to large orchestras, Pietilä has
a long and varied history of composing for and performing with many of the top
names in modern European creative jazz.
Pianist Aki Rissanen (b.1980) has built a reputation as one of the most
"forward-thinking" and creative pianists of his generation in Finland. Rissanen
has worked with some of the top names like Barry Guy, Mats Gustafsson, Daniel
Humair and Robin Verheyen in modern creative jazz. Rissanen combines a
classical training with a love of improvisation and contemporary jazz. In Liberty
Ship his distinctive style lives up to its full potential.
Antti Lötjönen (b.1980) has established himself as one of the cornerstones and
most in-demand bass players of Helsinki’s burgeoning 21st century jazz scene.
Playing in key groups like Sun Trio and Verneri Pohjola Quartet and with
countless major figures in the contemporary Finnish jazz scene like Alexi
Tuomarila and Kalevi Louhivuori has made Lötjönen a recognized figure both in
Finland and internationally.
Drummer Olavi Louhivuori (b.1981) has brought his creativity to a number of
high-profile projects all around Europe. He has played and recorded with
internationally acclaimed artists like Polish Tomasz Stańko, Italian Claudio
Filippini, British Dave Stapleton, Marilyn Crispell from USA and Norwegian
Mats Eilertsen.
The groups first self-titled recording Liberty Ship will be released on November
on CD and as a digital download. The CD version comes with an additional
second disc of purely improvised material.
The album showcases the remarkable quartets collective vision and the
supplementary improvised material is strong evidence that there is true
chemistry between the musicians. Pietilä’s vision of melodic free jazz elevates
his younger companions to new creative heights.
Contact:
Bookings:
Hanna-Leena Ehn
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