This year, the New Jazz from Finland series at Opus is back with two Finnish bands presenting their latest albums on the first weekend of November. The albums' vibrant freshness and refined intimacy open up fascinating perspectives.

On the first night of New Jazz from Finland, 4 November, Linda Fredriksson brings their album Juniper, in which they reveal their shy and quiet side as a composer and bandleader. The result is a sincere, personal and introspective album, performed by an instrumental jazz band, but with a spirit, musical world and playing style that is most akin to the attitude of a singer-songwriter. Juniper is a personal and high quality musical diary of a creative jazz musician and composer from the early 2020s – no wonder it was voted Jazz Album of the Year in Linda’s home country.

A fierce improviser of Mopo Trio, Ricky-Tick Big Band and Superposition, saxophonist Fredriksson's versatile and unique style makes them one of the most interesting musicians on the scene across genres. They have been working on the songs on this album for years, mostly composing with guitar, keyboards and singing. Juniper is a world unto itself, born in a self-imposed isolation. As Linda says, “It's my own world, a place of solitude in the midst of chaos. A bubble in which I can comfortably exist.” The material, which has been transferred to a full band, has not lost its minimalist character, with co-producer Minna Koivisto ensuring that the fragile beauty of the demo versions remains intact.

Formed from the younger generation of Finnish musicians, the Katu Kaiku trio is truly at home on the fringes of genres, combining modern jazz with handpicked elements of progressive rock and pop. Dreamy, haunting melodies, sophisticated dynamic nuances and elaborate drum parts create a meditative but not introspective soundscape. This is thought-provoking music by confident and experimenting musicians, offering true remedy for the strained mind.

Katu Kaiku has been adventuring in the infinite universe of sounds since 2013. Its members have all been active on the Finnish and international jazz scene, in bands such as Olavi Louhivuori Superposition!, VIRTA and OK:KO. Their widely acclaimed second album, Luna (2019, Svart Records), has moved away from the trio's acoustic-avant-garde roots to take its rightful place among the brightest stars of crossover jazz. The catchy melodies and captivating grooves of this musical space voyage irresistibly carry the listener across the boundaries between pop, electroacoustic contemporary music and minimal music. Katu Kaiku's third album, Broken Piece, will be released on the Finnish label Eclipse on 4 November 2022, and the audience of Opus will be the first to hear its music performed live.

Tickets for both concerts are available for 2500 HUF on the spot, online at bmc.jegy.hu, and at InterTicket Jegypont partners across Hungary.

Related programmes:

New Jazz from Finland | Linda Fredriksson Juniper (FI)
2022.11.04. 20:00
BMC – Opus Jazz Club

Featuring:
Linda Fredriksson – saxophones
Tuomo Prättälä – keys
Mikael Saastamoinen – double bass
Olavi Louhivuori – drums

New Jazz From Finland | Katu Kaiku: Broken Piece – album debut (FI)
2022.11.05. 20:00
BMC – Opus Jazz Club

Featuring:
Adele Sauros – saxophones
Mikael Saastamoinen – electric bass
Erik Fräki – drums