Stories by

What happens if you put forty folk musicians and their instruments in one room once a month for a couple of years? The Sibelius Academy Folk Big Band is leading the way for Finnish folk instrument orchestras.

Finland has taken the potato from Peru — potato in Finnish is peruna, by the way — and the tango from Argentina. Both these South American imports are cultivated in these northern latitudes perhaps even more devotedly than in their countries of origin. Pekka Gronow reports on the way in which the tango has taken root in Finland and stubbornly survived even the arrival of Elvis and The Beatles.

"Saxophonist and composer Eero Koivistoinen is one of the best-known Finnish jazz musicians. For fifteen years he also has composed music for the Juvenalia Choir."

"Mäkynen’s first-rate compositions alternate with some hand-picked standard tunes, such as “Love Is Here to Stay” or “For Dancers Only”."

The first decade of the 21st century witnessed a boom for hymns in Finland. Saxophonist Jukka Perko, one ofthe most fascinating stars in the country's jazz firmament decided to try his hand at recording his interpretations. How, why and what happened then?

"What a great night it was at the short-lived Helsinki Royal Cotton Club on 20 October 1995. On stage was the Finnish flagship big band, UMO Jazz Orchestra, with saxophonist Michael Brecker. "

Suvi Oskala has a lot going on. She plays the violin and sings but also writes music, teaches, produces and runs her own record label. Involved in both avant-garde art folk music and traditional folk music, she keeps her bands going through active performance sales and with grants.

In his article from 1987 Markku Kilpiö takes a look at Finnish choral singing.

"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."