Finnish jazz duo takes the stage at Akbank Sanat


Famous Finnish jazz musicians, trumpet player Verneri Pohjola and Pianist Aki Rissanen combine their power with this duo project and create their own original compositions by using both electronic and acoustic sounds. They have recently started their own album preparations as well. The son of Finnish bass virtuoso Pekka Pohjola, Verneri Pohjola has made a name for himself in Finnish and Scandinavian jazz music for over 10 years and has been praised by critics for his two albums released by famous German record company ACT. Coming to the fore with Ilmiliekki Quartet, winner of the prestigious Toesto Award in the category for original composition, Pohjola won Best Musician of the Year award at Pori Jazz Festival in 2004. Having released his next album "Bullhorn" with British Edition Records' label in 2015, Pohjola has collaborated with famous figures including Anthony Braxton, Anders Jormin, Jens Thomas, Jukka Perko and Iro Haarla.Praised by Dave Liebman who said, "Aki is one of the best young pianists I have listened to in a long time," Aki Rissanen is one of the pioneer figures of Finnish jazz music. He has always been interested in improvisation despite his former education on classical music. In addition to the awards he won at Montreux Jazz Festival's Solo Piano Competition and French La Defense Competition, he was also renowned for the records he released with Verneri Pohjola under ACT's label. Having released five records on his own so far, Rissanen's fame has gradually spread through the European jazz stages.Where: Akbank SanatWhen: Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.