Finnish saxophonist Jukka Perko is a major figure in the Scandinavian jazz scene and is rightly acknowledged as one of Europe’s premier jazz artists.
A teenage wunderkind recruited into Dizzy Gillespie’s Big Band in the late ‘80s, Jukka’s 25 year, award-winning career has brought deserved fame which has allowed him the freedom to create and perform in an array of ensembles, large and small, around the world.
How healthy is the jazz scene in Finland? I would say it’s healthy but a bit unbalanced like in other countries. There are lot more players than available gigs. But on the other hand as wide-ranging professionals Finnish jazz players usually find their own space on the scene by combining different styles as well as teaching.
What drew you to the jazz genre? It was the saxophone that I fell in love with first. After I got a sax, I went crazy about the way jazz players play it.
What about the saxophone caught your attention? Difficult question, but really I think the saxophone chose me rather than the other way around.
What inspired the mixture of jazz and traditional Finnish music? Well, everyone has his and her roots. My roots are in Finland and Finnish culture and nature. It took me many years to grant myself this and come to terms with it. But now I think that when you are aware of that fact, it is quite natural to combine those inherited influences with the music you have absorbed during your life from other parts of the world and music cultures.
What are you looking forward to on your trip to Australia? I have been to Australia a number of times, but not recently (2005). It’s always been a wonderful experience. I love Australian people and audiences and the quite unique nature you have. And our music and way of playing has been very well received down there. And of course working with our promoter, Henk van Leeuwen, who is organising the tour, always gives it a rewarding experience.
Are you hoping to meet up with anyone at the Brisbane International Jazz Festival? I don’t know anybody specifically in Brisbane, but I just heard there are hopefully also quite a few Finns coming to see our gig. Hope to meet new people, including fine Australian musicians, like the great pianist Mike Nock. But we are only in Brisbane one day for the concert. My two guitarist colleagues are also very pleased that Brisbane is included in the tour.
How did you discover Teemu Viinikainen and Jarmo Saari? Teemu and Jarmo are my soul mates. I have worked together with them separately in different projects for years, and since 2010 we have had the Avara Trio. Many years ago, when I heard them playing the first time and met them in person, I knew immediately that I wanted to make music with these guys.
Do the three of you ever have any musical conflicts? Almost not at all. ‘Avara’ means spacious and wide open. So everybody has their role and own space. We Finns love to have our own space and if can have that we always keep calm.
Written by Daniel Conaghan
The Jukka Perko Avara Trio Tour Dates
Tue Jun 3 - Paddington Uniting Church East Side Arts (Sydney)Wed Jun 4 - Bennetts Lane Jazz Club at Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Thu Jun 5 - Queensland Multicultural Centre at Brisbane International Jazz Festival
Fri Jun 6 - Cairns Tanks Arts Centre
Sat Jun 7 - Darwin Entertainment Centre
Mon Jun 9 - Wollongong City Gallery
Tue Jun 10 - Canberra Embassy of Finland
