Timo Lassy & Jukka Eskola Nordic Stew

"A powerful fusion of Scandinavian jazz and New Orleans' rich musical heritage, the upcoming album by Finnish duo Jukka Eskola (trumpet) and Timo Lassy (saxophone) is a remarkable testament to the power of collaboration and connection. Rooted in their long history of playing together, shared love for jazz and their strong individual sounds which become even stronger when combined, the project was born from a desire to explore and create something unique together.

The duo traveled to New Orleans, a city that lives and breathes music, with its streets filled with sounds of jazz, marching bands, and local traditions like Mardi Gras. The city's unique vibe and architecture, dating back to the 19th century, made it the perfect backdrop for their musical journey. The decision to work in New Orleans was also influenced by the city's history of connecting with Finnish culture. Around 100 years ago, Finnish immigrants traveled to the United States and later returned to Finland, bringing jazz records and influencing the development of Finnish jazz.

Credits: Timo Lassy: tenor saxophone / Jukka Eskola: trumpet / Herlin Riley: drums / David Torkanowsky: keys / Roland Guerin: bass / Delfeayo Marsalis: trombone / Kirk Joseph: sousaphone / Matt Perrine: tuba / Abdissa Assefa: percussion

Recorded at Esplanade Studios, New Orleans 27-29 Jan 2022 by Misha Kachakachishvili and Abdissa Assefa. Mixed at Ambience Studio in Helsinki by Abdissa Assefa. Mastered at Chartmakers in Espoo by Svante Forsbäck. All music composed and produced by Timo Lassy & Jukka Eskola.