 |
Jari Hongisto (Sep 3,1960) is the first Finnish trombonist to really make a mark on the European free music scene. He began his horn studies in 1977.After learning the rudiments in Finland, he embellished his knowledge through lessons with teachers from the UK, Germany and USA. In between 1979 and 1982 Hongisto toiled in three different symphony orchestras and gave private lessons.In 1982 the trombonist decided to become a freelancer and commenced his neverending trip into the realms of improvisation and jazz music. This step brought the man to the welcoming arms of finnish giants like Edward Vesala, Jarmo Sermila and Teppo Hauta-aho. |
| At around the same time Hongisto branched out
into perfoming with various international workshop orchestras, the UMO
jazz orchestra, the EBU Big Band and group led by people like George
Lewis and Bill Dixon. Two noteworthy groups of the era are
multi-national improvising collective Quintet Moderne and the very first
incarnation of Krakatau, a trio of Hongisto, Raoul Björkenheim and
Edward Vesala.
Since the beginning of the 90's the trustworthy trombone player has led his own groups, which have featured a cross section of the best local jazzmen. On the side Hongisto has made a name for himself as a conductor, big band tutor and an able lecturer. Par for the cource are also his many studio sessions in the rock circuit and a multitude of appearances as a theater musician.A good way to acclimatize yourself with the brass art of Jari Hongisto is to listen to Edward Vesala's Kullervo,a musical drama baced on the Finnish national epic The Kalevala,Behind The Window,a collaboration with Phil Wachsmann and Paul Lovens or Hongisto's latest CD with his own trio Sound Kitchen. |
|