Gnomus is an extraordinary Finnish group that plays experimental improvised music. The trio, formed in 1998, consists of Kari Ikonen (keyboards), Mika Kallio (drums) and Esa Onttonen (guitars). As opposed to playing pre-composed pieces the music of Gnomus shapes itself during the performance. The music evolves according to the environment and exploits the advantages of acoustics. Listener may notice features from such musical phenomena as ambient, free jazz, radiophony, modalism and cacophony.
Kari Ikonen (keyboards)
Mika Kallio (drums)
Esa Onttonen (guitar)
Delirium consists of sax player Mikko Innanen (FIN), cornet player Kasper Tranberg (DK), bassist Jonas Westergaard (DK) and drummer Stefan Pasborg (DK), representing Nordic co-operation among the bold, new jazz generation at its best. The quartet released its eponymous debut cd in the spring of 2002 after having played together for four years and touring in Denmark, Finland, Estonia and France. "With Ornette Coleman in the backpocket, the quartet play themselves into an original universe. They paint intense pictures that are obscure and straight-ahead - as well as wild and lyrical. A fascinating musical journey with the new, young talents and their fresh view on tomorrow's jazz." (Pierre Dorge) Among the numerous groups and individual artists the band members have worked with - apart from Delirium - are names like Ray Anderson, Pierre Dorge New Jungle Orchestra, Copenhagen Art Ensemble, Tim Berne, Jesper Zeuthen, Marc Ducret, Rent Romus, George Garzone, Jonas Müller Polkadelic Bebop Trio, John Tchicai, Horace Parlan, Lotte Anker, Liudas Mockunas, Peter Friis Nielsen, Ingrid Jensen, UMO Jazz Orchestra, M.A.Numminen, Ib Glindemann, Jarmo Savolainen, Toots Thielemans, The New York Voices, Juhani Aaltonen, Diane Schuur, The European Jazz Youth Orchestra/Helge Albin, Han Bennink and Jaak Sooäär.
Mikko Innanen (saxophones)
Kasper Tranberg (cornet)
Jonas Westergaard (double bass)
Stefan Pasborg (drums)
Mia Simanainen, vocal
Kari Heinilä, saxophones, flutes
Kari Ikonen, piano
Mika Kallio, drums
The origin of Gourmet can be traced back to 1996 when a group named Salad was formed by saxophonist Mikko Innanen and guitarist Esa Onttonen. Salad's journey to stardom ended somewhat prematurely as the group disbanded right after the first gig. The time wasn't yet ripe for a group featuring an accordion (already played by Veli Kujala) and an eclectic repertoire that included two Ennio Morricone compositions. This failed attempt didn't discourage Innanen and Onttonen from giving the idea a second try, this time with the addition of slide trombone and some personnel changes. The first formation of Gourmet hit the stage in April 1998 and eventually went to record the critically acclaimed debut album "Glamour & Decadence" that was released by Fiasko Records in April 2001. Both the album and the group placed runners-up in the Critics Poll held by the Jazzrytmit magazine. After the few gigs following the release of the album Gourmet went into a nearly two-year hiatus to come back in April 2004 with a completely new repertoire and more brassy sound as the double bass was replaced by tuba. Whereas the old material was "eccentric and intoxicating brew of blues, jazz, tango, rock, surf, noise and even Greek bouzouki music" (All About Jazz), the new material benefits from a more focused approach on the stylistical variety. Fourteen tracks representing the "new Gourmet sound" were released as "Six Acres of Broken Hearts" in November 2004. A culinary parallel to the exciting and delightful new sound of Gourmet could be a meal consisting of at least the following dishes: some spoonfuls of bortsch, a dose of mamma's meatballs, a bowl of gumbo, chili beans wrapped up in tortillas and shaslik, served with all kinds of potatoes. It is highly recommended to flush it all down with a hefty cup of good old Tennessee bourbon. A cake as sweet as your true love's lips and of the size of the Lone Star State goes well as the dessert. The coffee should be thick, black and mean.
Mikko Innanen, saxophone
Esa Onttonen, guitar
Ilmari Pohjola, trombone
Veli Kujala, accordion
Petri Keskitalo, tuba
Mika Kallio, drums
Karikko is a group of musicians performing Kari Ikonen's compositions. The instrumentation varies according to the needs of the compositions - on the CD there are different ensembles between a quartet and tentet to be heard. In performing-situations the ensemble is more compact:
Kari Ikonen - piano/rhodes-piano
Sonny Heinilä - saxophones
Gunnar Halle - trumpet
Vincent Courtois - cello
Tony Elgland - double bass
Mika Kallio - drums
Karikko has performed regularly in Finland since March 1999. Venues include jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals, e.g. Jyväskylä Summer Jazz, Kaamosjazz and Järvenpää Sibelius Weeks. In summer 1999 the group recorded for YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company) and in November it was broadcasted in a live concert at the Kaamosjazz Festival. In 2001 Karikko recorded a CD which was released on November 13, 2001 by Fiasko Records. The CD was awarded with the "Jazz Emma 2001" -prize ("a Finnish Grammy") and was selected "The best jazz CD of the year" by Hufvudstadsbladet, the main Swedish newspaper in Finland.