ESKO JÄRVELÄ is a fourth generation folk musician and one of the most-known folk fiddle players in Finland. Besides his own Epic Male Band he is playing in bands such as Frigg, JPP, Baltic Crossing and Tsuumi Sound System.
JUHA KUJANPÄÄ is a versatile composer and a musician interested in the area between European jazz and folk music. His first solo album "Tales and Travels" was released in 2013. He's also playing piano and reed organ in bands like Juha Kujanpää Ensemble, Kirjava lintu, Ville Ojanen Band and Captain Cougar.
TEIJA NIKU is an accordion player specialized both in Scandinavian folk music and the music of the Balkan area. Her solo album "Finsko Pajdusko" was released in 2011. You can hear her playing also in bands Aallotar, Grupa Balkan and Polka Chicks.
SELECTED REVIEWS OF THE DEBUT ALBUM 'HYVÄÄ MATKAA/BON VOYAGE' (2011)
"One of the wonderful things about music is that there are always new players with fresh ideas coming along. This Finnish trio offers something different by featuring the Swedish keyed fiddle, the nyckelharpa, alongside accordion and piano/harmonium.
That might make for a sound heavy on the keys with their original compositions, but it all works somehow on this disc." (CN, Sing Out! Vol. 54 #2, 2011)
"The ensemble playing is polished with an easy melodic flow between the three musicians, with guest musicians adding in guitar, percussion, and double bass. The music is playful and engaging and another example of the ease that Nordic musicians combine various influences into new sounds." (Jim Lee, Driftwood Magazine, May 12, 2011, http://driftwoodmagazine.com/)
"Arranging for piano and accordion together takes some special skills. It would be easy for the instruments to get in each other's way and muddy up the sound. Kujanpää shows his arranging skills and his playing works very well with Niku's as they trade off between melodic and supporting roles." (Greg Harness, RootsWorld April 2011)
That might make for a sound heavy on the keys with their original compositions, but it all works somehow on this disc." (CN, Sing Out! Vol. 54 #2, 2011)
"The ensemble playing is polished with an easy melodic flow between the three musicians, with guest musicians adding in guitar, percussion, and double bass. The music is playful and engaging and another example of the ease that Nordic musicians combine various influences into new sounds." (Jim Lee, Driftwood Magazine, May 12, 2011, http://driftwoodmagazine.com/)
"Arranging for piano and accordion together takes some special skills. It would be easy for the instruments to get in each other's way and muddy up the sound. Kujanpää shows his arranging skills and his playing works very well with Niku's as they trade off between melodic and supporting roles." (Greg Harness, RootsWorld April 2011)