Sami Saari & FB

(FIN)
soul, funk, rock

The Finnish soul brother is best known as a singer, but, having always played guitar, he freed his inner “Hendrix” on last year’s Vapaa album using a trio format. In Pori, however, he performs with a new quintet, FB. You could call their set “the Best of Finnish Soul”, as they do songs from all of Sami’s albums and a few also by his late good friend and band mate, late Aki Sirkesalo.

Hailing from Tampere, Sami Saari is an energetic live performer, and a shoemaker and shoe freak. He started in the rock band Giddyups with Sirkesalo, making two albums in the late 80’s. The two friends then founded Veeti & The Velvets, Finland’s best known do-wop quartet. His solo career started in the late 90’s, focusing on Finnish language soul, and has so far delivered five albums and several hits, like Se ei riitä, Ainutkertainen ja Iisimmin.

Being a very lively character, Sami also sings old time Finnish dance music in the newly founded Dallapé. At the start of his professional career he played guitar with Sirkesalo’s and Pave Maijanen’s bands and in Ali ja Rosvot. He has also been featured as a special guest on rapper Cheek’s albums.