US based Finnish pianist Anni Kiviniemi debuts her trio featuring bassist Eero Tikkanen and drummer Hans Hulbaekmo (from Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra and Moskus). The new album “Eir”, out on We Jazz Records 12 Jan 2024, is an introspective, moody, yet swinging trio set comprising of 8 Kiviniemi originals. Modeled for a classic jazz piano trio, Kiviniemi's music reaches far beyond, bringing together influences from classical music, Norwegian musical tradition and North African music.
Of her compositional process, Kiviniemi says:
“I always gravitate towards the unknown in music and, I suppose, in life. If
I hear an unusual melody or a bizarre chord that I don’t immediately
recognise, I need to jump on the piano and figure out what it is. Then I play
around with it a bit, making sure I understand it and that I’m able to use it
in a different context in the future. I always set strict limitations on myself
as a composer, but give my fellow musicians the complete freedom to interpret my
music in their own way. If they want to change something, they’re free to do
so. I love being surprised as a bandleader. It teaches me a lot, which is
always fun. I’d say the album is 95% improvised but when we play live, we edge
towards 99%.”
Named after Kiviniemi's daughter, who was born after the recording of the album, but before its release. This also highlights the nature of the record, which is highly intimate, pulling the listener in for the finer details, while flowing along with the overall sound.