back

biography / portrait

Kimmo Pohjonen is one of the most respected and in-demand musicians and performers in Finland. An accordionist of exceptional ability and imagination, Kimmo's musical history goes back more than twenty years in rock, folk, avant-garde, improvisation, classical, dance and theatre music projects. In 1996 he embarked on a solo career with his solo 5-row accordion project, featuring extreme and original compositions, live loops and effects, a dynamic and animated stage performance, orchestrated lights and surround sound. This show received instant massive worldwide critical acclaim at WOMEX Berlin in 1999 and led to continuous work with his many projects all over Europe, North and South America, Israel, Russia and Japan to rave response. Pohjonen's singular mission is to expand the capabilities, sound, performance, scope and experience of the accordion in many different settings to levels never before seen or heard. Accordion, voice, effects, surround sound and light show combine to make a unique and captivating performance event. His recent projects include concert collaboration with his duo Kluster, featuring sampling mastermind Samuli Kosminen, and Kronos Quartet with World Premiere set for Sept 2004. Pohjonen and Kosminen also team up with Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn of King Crimson for the quartet called Kluster TU. Pohjonen's latest solo adventure is called Animator featuring live computer graphics by multi-media artist and designer Marita Liulia and live video mix by Antti Kuivalainen. Pohjonen also performs entirely improvised music with French percussionist Eric Echampard. A brief history -Born 1964, began playing accordion at age 8, playing dance music, folk music, later classical and rock music. Classical Music studies at Helsinki Conservatory 1980-1985. Studied at Sibelius Academy Folk & Classical Music Depts, 1985-96. -Studied Bagamoyo College of Arts, Tanzania, off and on, 1985-92, and in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1994. Teacher of accordion at Sibelius Academy and in USA, Sweden and Denmark, Holland. -Named "Folk Musician of the Year" in Finland, 1996, 1997, 1998, he has played on over 75 different albums in the past 10 years including Finnish folk music group Ottopasuuna, duo Pinnin Pojat with JPP's Arto Järvelä and rock band Ismo Alanko Säätiö. Pohjonen has also performed music for theatre, ballet and modern dance. -In 2000, Kimmo received a five year composer/artist grant from the Finnish state. Named "Accordionist of the Year" for 2000 and 2001 in Finnish Jazz magazine Jazz Rytmit. -In 2000, presented "KalmukkiSinfonia" project in Helsinki featuring the 15-piece Tapiola Sinfonietta orchestra, two percussionists, light show and surround sound. -2001: Formed duo Kimmo Pohjonen Kluster with sampling whiz Samuli Kosminen. Tours in Europe throughout 2001-2004. Teamed up with French percussionist Eric Echampard for first concert in Tallin.. Finnish choreographer Jorma Uotinen directed Finnish National Opera Ballet performing Kimmo's Kielo music at Helsinki's National Opera House. -Kalmuk project with Tapiola Sifonietta toured England in 2002 with simultaneous release of Kalmuk DVD Symphony. -Manipulator project, 2002, with multimedia artist Marita Liulia and buto dancer /choreographer is performed in Helsinki, Sweden, Belgium. In Helsinki: 6 hours of improvised performance on each of three days, total 18 hours. -High profile UK performances including The Proms at Royal Albert Hall, David Bowie's Meltdown, London Jazz Festival at the Barbican, Kalmuk and Kluster at Queen Elizabeth Hall -Composed and performed , with Kluster, music for UK short film "Flickerman and the Ivory Skinned Woman". -Kalmuk DVD Symphony wins Teosto Prize (Finland) in 2003. Pohjonen nominated in BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards and Nordic Council Music Award -Animator project with Marita Liulia's computer graphics plus Antti Kuivalainen live video mixing, premiere in Helsinki March 2004, followed by concerts in Wien (June) and Dusseldorf (September). -Kluster collaboration with Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn of King Crimson, Kluster TU. World premiere in Helsinki and four Tokyo concerts, April 2004. -Kluster concert collaboration with Kronos Quartet. Compositions by Pohjonen, World Premiere Helsinki Sept 4,5 2004. (source: www.kimmopohjonen.com)