LANG & LUOLAJAN-MIKKOLA: Transit





Rockadillo Records ZENCD 2097
The official release date February 2, 2005

Vocalist Reija Lang and violinist Mikko-Ville Luolajan-Mikkola´s new release, Transit, introduces a vibrant violin-vocal axis to the modern jazz scene. This CD is the first jointly made recording of this composer/lyricist duo, with accompaniment by three of the finest young Finnish jazz musicians today.

This uncompromising work has produced music painted in strong strokes and shades that seem to bewitch the unconscious. The unifying spirit of violin and vocals make the recording strangely alluring. The CD contains Mikko-Ville´s compositions with Reija´s lyrics along with instrumentals of Eric Dolphy, Wayne Shorter and Mal Waldron in which Reija has created visual and intense original lyrics.
Mikko-Ville´s composing is characterised by his intuitive touch and mastery. His music expresses beauty, quirkiness and originality. There is also drama; many of his compositions have been inspired by Reija´s deeply emotional poems.

Mikko-Ville Luolajan-Mikkola is known as a top violinist and a composer both in classical music as well as in jazz circles. He has played the first violin in the Metropolitan Opera in 1981-85 and acted as a concert master at Savonlinna Opera Festival since 1989 and at Stockholm Kungliga Opera in 2003-2004. Luolajan-Mikkola became passionate about jazz during 1970´s when he played with Wasama Quartet. This passion continued with Anthony Braxton´s Tour in the late 80´s and with Hot Club Trio in the 90´s. He has been elected several times as the best jazz violinist by the Finnish jazz critics. He has also been elected as ”The Artist Of The Year” of the Savonlinna Opera Festival.

Reija Lang won ”Lady Summertime” vocal jazz contest in 2002. She has studied singing in Pop&Jazz Conservatory and in Sibelius Academy Open University. Her expressive performance was very well recieved at the Jazz@Opera happening in the fall of 2004.

Kari Ikonen is a prizewinning pianist and composer. Ikonen´s debut album was awarded the Jazz Emma Prize in 2001 and he has won several international composition contests, e.g. Julius Hemphill Composition Awards in 2000.

Ville Herrala is a young and extremely talented bass player. He plays with several top jazz bands, such as U-Street All Stars and Piirpauke.

Mikko Hassinen is one of the most requested drummers in the Finnish jazz scene. He is one of the key members at UMO. He has performed with several top musicians, such as Eero Koivistoinen, Raoul Björkenheim, Tomasz Stanko, Jimi Tenor and Viktoria Tolstoi. He is also an active composer – Damodara-trilogy presents his own compositions and sound scenes.

For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Rockadillo Records
Tel. +358-3-213 1260
records@rockadillo.fi
www.rockadillo.fi