Riitta Paakki Trio - Riitta Paakki Trio (2000)

Pianist Riitta Paakki (born 1971) is one of the best Finnish jazzpianists of our time who is known for her straightforward yet elegant approach on music. Riitta Paakki Trio, consisting of Paakki, bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Jaska Lukkarinen, plays a mixture of modern and traditional acoustic pianotriojazz. The trios music is melodic and groovy, and the atmosphere of the music changes from joyful rythms to melancholic tones and back.
The Trio released their new album ”Characters” in April 2015 under the label ”Jaskaa”. The album consists of 1960's compositions from the legendary saxofonist and composer Wayne Shorters (born 1933) which Paakki has recomposed for her piano trio. Riitta Paakki Trio transforms these songs to reflect their own style, where Finnish melancholy and the trios powerful interpretations combine with Shorters strong melodies, groovy rythms and delicate ambiance. The albums name ”Characters”, points out the differences between the trios personalities and musical nuances which meet and mix on the album. The trio played these new songs on their Finnish Jazz Federations and Jazz HUGs co-produced tour in October 2015.
Less frequently seen on stage, Riitta Paakki Trio presents a new lineup alongside with a new album, as previous band members bassist Ari-Pekka Anttila and drummer Mikko Hassinen were replaced by younger generation jazz musicians drummer Jaska Lukkarinen and bassist Antti Lötjönen. Originally founded in 1996, the trio published three albums under the label "Impala", RPT (2000), Enne (2004) and Onion (2006) of with their debut album RPT got nominated for the Jazz-Emma prize. ”Characters” is the first album release from the new lineup.