
Real Name:
Jussi Pekka Pohjola
Profile:
Composer and bassist. Son of cellist Ensti Pohjola. Father of trumpeter Verneri Pohjola and trombonist Ilmari Pohjola.
Born on January 13, 1952 in Helsinki, Finland, died on November 27, 2008.
Pekka Pohjola biography
Jussi Pekka Pohjola - 13 January 1952 (Helsinki, Finland) - 27 November 2008
Pekka POHJOLA is without doubt one of the greatest bassist/multi-instrumentalist in Europe. He knows how to handle several other instruments too... violin, piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizers, and trumpet as well. His style could be described with words as progressive rock filled with invention & Scandinavian folky/jazzy delights. In 1970 Pekka joined WIGWAM, a Finnish group around the English singer and pianist Jim PEMBROKE, staying four glorious years. In 1977, he formed The GROUP and in 1979, he toured with Mike OLDFIELD, who is an admirer of this bass-player. In 1980, The GROUP changed its name to PEKKA POHJOLA GROUP, but along the way the word "GROUP" is dropped, so the band played on as Pekka POHJOLA.
In addition to working with The GROUP, Pekka has released a number of solo albums over the years. Meanwhile, his music has reached new generations of music lovers. During his WIGWAM days, he recorded his first solo-album, the delicious "Pihkasilmä Kaarnakorva". This album has symphonic/classical references and is very ZAPPA-influenced with lots of woodwinds and some fine bass soloing. "Visitation" is a real masterpiece of melodic jazz-rock elements on which Pekka shows his talents as a bass-player and composer. This is probably the best place to start getting familiar. "Urban Tango" (1982) and "Space Waltz" are probably more accessible combining classical tendencies, fusion, folk and more. "New Impressionnist" is an excellent compilation CD that contains tracks from "Everyman", "Urban Tango", "Visitation" and "Katkavaaran"... and is probably as good start.
Late September 1997, "Pewit" POHJOLA's new studio album is finally released after five years since "Changing Waters". The musicians are the same as on "Changing Waters". In May 2001, Pekka released "Views", his first solo album in quite some time.
Tracks:
All tracks composed and arranged by Pekka Pohjola.
01. The Perceived Journey Lantern/The Sighted Light - 00:00
02. Hands Straighten The Water -05:13
03. The Mathematician's Air Display - 09:52
04. The Consequences Of Head Bending - 17:07
a). Part One - The Pain Is Melting
b). Part Two - The Plot Thickens
05. False Start Of The Shadows - 32:56
Personnel:
- Pekka Pohjola - bass (01-05), Grand piano (01,02,05), harpsichord (02,05), String synthesizer (02,04b), keyboards (03,04a), producer
- Mike Oldfield - guitars (02,03,04), percussion (04b), mandolin (05), whistle (05), producer
- Georg Wadenius - guitar (01,04b), percussion (04b)
- Wlodek Gulkowski - synthesizer (01,04b), Grand piano (04b)
- Vesa Aaltonen - drums (01,04b)
- Sally Oldfield - female voice (02,05)
- Pierre Moerlen - drums (03,04a,05), bells (04b)