Feature

HIP HELSINKI

For a city of its size, Helsinki produces a disproportionate number of quality jazz bands. Either every child is born with a silver sax in their mouth or the commitment to good music far exceeds anywhere else in Europe. “As compared to middle Europe here’s not so many places to play in Helsinki; even in Finland you have to travel quite far,” says Valterri Poyhonen, bandleader and guitarist of Dalindeo, the latest signing to the Ricky Tick label (also home to The Five Corners Quintet). “Subsequently people work hard for gigs. We don’t have one every day.”

Formed at the end of 2003, six-piece Dalindeo play Brazilian tinged jazz appealing to a club crowd. Admittedly the sunshine-soaked sounds of bossa nova aren’t quite what you’d expect from a country bordering both the Baltic Sea and Russia. “There’s a very good library system in Finland,” explains Valterri. ”Brazilian records aren’t so easy to find, but you can order CDs. I found a few records I liked and listened to them rather than collecting. The ones I still listen to a lot are Stan Getz, Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim – all the original bossa nova stuff.”

Taking the Dalindeo sound even further south of the equator is Japanese singer Michiko, whose whispery vocals echo a more refined Astrud Gilberto. “Michiko is an artist, living in Helsinki for seven years. I met her in a studio and she jammed with us. When it came to making the record, I just remembered this unique sound.”

As with other artists on the Ricky Tick label, Dalindeo’s club sound is down to producer Tuomas Kallio. “He’s an expert in that field!” says Valterri. His background in electronic music combined with a respect for jazz help a band who reference so many classic sounds escape the pitfalls of pastiche. “It’s something that becomes easier as we play more,” says Valterri. “There are dynamics in improvisation, allowing the musicians more space to move.”

Finally, what about the bands name – does it hold any great significance? “It’s a completely made-up name!” laughs Valterri. “So many words have an immediate association. Now I see it as representing not only the band, but also a collective of people.”

Dalindeo 'Open Scenes' is released May 14 and they play the Jazz Café, London on May 19 as part of a Ricky Tick label night with The Five Corners Quintet.
Words Sarah Marshall