#1 Jukkis Uotila Jazz Quintet (FI-EE-UK-US)

#1 JUKKIS UOTILA JAZZ QUINTET

Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m. at Philly Joe's Jazz Club

Owner of Finland’s State Prize for Music, renowned jazz drummer and composer Jukkis Uotila, will bring his international quintet to perform at Philly Joe’s Jazz Club on the 22nd of April for 2 exclusive concerts! Having built a long career in U.S. ensembles, the 65-year-old Jukkis brings along a group of younger virtuosos. Among them, established artists, saxophonist Seamus Blake and trumpeter Gerard Presencer, and pianist Holger Marjamaa and bassist Alexander Claffy who have rapidly risen to the ranks of young masters in the international jazz elite. The Jukkis Uotila Band performs vibrant, modern, groove-oriented jazz ranging from high-energy pieces to tender ballads. The program features compositions by Uotila as well as works by Seamus Blake and Holger Marjamaa.

At the age of 19, Jukkis moved to New York, where he eventually joined, among others, the bands of Randy Brecker, Toots Thielemans, Joe Lovano, Joey Calderazzo, Tim Hagans and Mike Stern. Returning gradually to Finland in the 1980s, he has continued performing worldwide. During that decade he also shaped the Sibelius Academy’s Jazz Department according to his vision and, as professor, helped raise it into one of the world’s leading jazz schools. In addition to drums, Uotila plays piano, composes, arranges, produces, leads ensembles and big bands, and has educated three generations of top Finnish jazz musicians.

Born in England in 1970, saxophonist Seamus Blake rose to prominence on the New York jazz scene in the mid-1990s with his distinctive tenor sound. He has performed with many leading artists of his generation, been a member of the Mingus Big Band, and recorded with musicians such as Bill Stewart, Dave Kikoski and Victor Lewis. Blake has released sixteen albums as a leader and in recent years has toured with Roger Waters’ solo project.

Trumpeter Gerard Presencer first gained international attention in the early 1990s with his solo on “Cantaloop” by British hip-hop group US3. Known for his highly versatile style, he became a sought-after brass player for many groups and recordings. He led the Royal Academy of Music’s jazz department in London for ten years and was a long time soloist with the Danish Radio Big Band. Presencer has also recorded with pop acts including Jamiroquai, Pet Shop Boys and Brand New Heavies.

Pianist Holger Marjamaa is one of the first truly international-level jazz artist from Estonia. He began studying with Jukkis Uotila at the Sibelius Academy in 2014, where his exceptional talent quickly stood out. After receiving a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, he caught the attention of trumpeter Chris Botti and spent three years touring with his band. Marjamaa has also performed with guitarist Lee Ritenour and regularly collaborates with younger New York jazz artists such as Chad Lefkowitz-Brown and Benny Benack. His Hammond organ playing has also brought him guest appearances with the gospel group Take 6.

Bassist Alexander Claffy is one of the most in-demand jazz bassists in New York today. Having lived there since 2011, Claffy has performed with both older legends such as Louis Hayes, Jimmy Cobb, and Harold Mabern, and more recently younger stars like Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Christian Scott.

Line-up:

Jukkis Uotila - drums

Holger Marjamaa - piano

Alexander Claffy - bass

Seamus Blake - saxophone

Gerard Presencer - trumpet

The ticket does not guarantee a seat, we recommend arriving early or making a table reservation for 10 € per table: info@phillyjoes.com

Philly Joe's jazz club is supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Ministry of Culture, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, private patreons, and many more.