MENTAL ALASKA’S SPRING BUZZ
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LOUISE D.E. JENSEN (DK/USA)
DOMINIK SCHLIENGER (SUI)
MATTI LUOKKANEN & JAAKKO TOLVI
Thursday April 27th 6-9pm
Galleria Huuto
Tyynenmerenkatu 6, Helsinki
Tickets: 7e
Organized by: Mental Alaska
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LOUISE D.E.JENSEN (DK/USA)
Louise Dam Eckardt Jensen is a Danish-American saxophonist, vocalist and composer. She is equally in her element in the claustrophobically dense environment that is New York and the idyllic countryside of southern Denmark. This division can also be felt in Jensen’s music which consists of more gestural melodic explorations and relentlessly intensive, more rough noise experiments.
Jensen thrives in leading roles when it comes to musical assembles. Quite recently she formed a saxophone quartet together with the legendary Tamio Shiraishi, Matt Nelson and Chris Pitsiokos. Her other bands include the Danish no wave-assembly Sweet Banditry and duo The Home of Easy Credit which has also performed in Finland. Jensen has toured extensively in Europe and the United States, playing alongside musicians such as Weasel Walter, Marc Ducret, Jim Black, Kevin Shea, Tim Dahl, Erica Dicker ja Poul Dissing. She runs the Denmark-based record label Marsken Records together with her husband Tom Blancarte.
DOMINIK SCHLIENGER (SUI)
Dominik Schlienger is a composer and researcher originally from Switzerland. At present he is developing technology for spacially interactive music. Schlienger plays the viola in the group FISQ (Free Improvisation Sound Quartet). He also runs trans-disciplinary free improvisation workshops.
At the event in Huuto Schlienger performs his solo viola project “Gfuchtel” (”Waving vigorously about”). The concept is based mostly on improvisation and utilizes effect pedals and loopers. The electronic viola has been tuned lower than usual, almost down to a pitch reminiscent of the cello.
MATTI LUOKKANEN & JAAKKO TOLVI
Matti Luokkanen is a saxophonist who focuses on the variety of forms improvised music can take. His approach to music ranges from the energetic eruptions of free jazz to abstract sound collages and the melancholic landscape of northern Finland.
Matti Luokkanen is a drummer who focuses on the variety of forms improvised music can take. His approach to music ranges from the energetic eruptions of free jazz to abstract sound collages and the melancholic landscape of southwestern Finland. Tolvi has specialized in plagiarism.
In the past Luokkanen and Tolvi have played together mostly Thelonious Monk’s compositions. The concert at Huuto will be the pair’s first performance as a duo.
