Ilkka Heinonen Trio takes jouhikko to WOMEX 2014
Ilkka Heinonen Trio, Ilkka Heinonen (jouhikko), Nathan Riki Thomson (double bass) and Mikko Hassinen (drums, electronics), has been chosen in the official showcase program at WOMEX 2014.
Ilkka Heinonen Trio combines the sounds of the Finnish jouhikko (bowed lyre) with a diverse range of contemporary influences, pushing the instrument into exciting new musical territories.
The members of the trio are all highly regarded artists in their own rite and have been heard with many world-renowned groups including: Värttinä, UMO jazz orchestra, Antonio Forcione Quartet, Adriano Adewale Group, Nathan Riki Thomson Subsonic Ensemble, Jouhiorkesteri, Raoul Björkenheim, Jimi Tenor, Viktoria Tolstoy, David Liebman, Pekko Käppi, Timo Alakotila, Johanna Juhola and Milla Viljamaa and Göksel Baktagir.
The Jouhikko is an ancient bowed lyre found in Finland and Estonia. The bowed lyre survived longest in the Finnish provinces of Savo and western Karelia, as well as on the mainland of Estonia and the islands off the northwestern coast. The only information about the use of the jouhikko in Finland originates from the Provinces of Savo and Karelia where it was traditionally used as a dance instrument as well as to accompany songs.