Selma Savolainen, known for her unpredictable music making and impressive use of voice, presents Horror Vacui– her sextet at the Porvoo Jazz Festival.
Selma Savolainen is a singer who has won, among other things, Pori Jazz’s Rising Talent award, and Helsingin Sanomat praised her as a singer who has raised Finnish vocal jazz to a new level. In addition to modern jazz, Savolainen’s songs in English include influences from an alternative singer-songwriter style. In addition, the Horror Vacui sextet features a high-level line-up from the domestic jazz field: Tomi Nikku trumpet, Max Zenger clarinets, Toomas Keski-Säntti piano, Eero Tikkanen double bass and Okko Saastamoinen drums.
The band’s self-titled debut album was released in May by the British Whirlwind Recordings, which publishes the top of contemporary jazz. Savolainen has composed and arranged the music for a sextet. Referring to the band’s name, the song series deals with the fear of emptiness, abandonment and surprising discoveries.
“Max Zenger said during rehearsals about one of the songs that ‘there is something scary in this song’. I knew we were on the right track. ‘Something scary’ fits the theme of the whole album very well – life is full of moments of fear, but alongside fear there is also enthusiasm, curiosity and play “, Savolainen opens the themes of the music.
Critics have described Savolainens as a vocal soloist who uses her voice as an equal instrument among others. The artist has said that she is interested in making equal music, where every player and instrument has its place and a composed part.
“By creating space for every musician’s voice, we hope to find a place where there is no loneliness,” says Savolainen.
At the Porvoo Jazz Festival in Vanha 123, the audience is always served two experiences with one ticket. The gigs start in venues 1 and 2 at the same time, and after a short break, the audience switches places and hears the second performer of the evening. In Friday’s concert, in addition to Selma Savoilainen’s Horror Vacu, the Jukkis Uotila Plays Finnish Jazz Classics project will be heard.
Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui // Jukkis Uotila Plays Finnish Jazz Classics
Fri 29.9. at 20 (doors 19.15), Vanha 123
Tickets €30/€25 in advance, €35 at the door K-18
EARLY BIRD TICKETS -5€ 15.6. untill!