Riitta Paakki Kolme

(FIN)
modern piano jazz

Timelessly swinging modern jazz via a piano trio is the name of the game here. Riitta Paakki Trio made three well-received albums (Riitta Paakki Trio, Onion, Enne) during its 10 year life. Now the leader continues updating her music with a new rhythm section, naturally doing her own material. On Friday’s gig at Café Jazz they have trumpet player Tero Saarti (UMO Jazz Orchestra, Groove Connection, Busy Turtles, etc.) sitting in.

Inspired by Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner, Paakki started playing the piano at six. Now she’s getting her doctorate at the Sibelius Academy’s jazz department. Riitta also teaches music herself, and plays, on top of her own trio, in the UMO big band and in the groups of singers Mirja Mäkelä, Jenny Robson and Juki Välipakka.

The new trio is completed by the most in-demand double bass, in Finnish jazz, of Antti Lötjönen (Five Corners Quintet etc), while Joonas Riippa (see: Plop) counts the tempo on Friday’s gig and Ville Pynssi (UMO Jazz Orchestra, Severi Pyysalo, Joonatan Rautio) on Saturday’s gig.