One of Finland’s most beloved instrumental groups, Piirpauke has spent the past year crafting Lumo with a renewed lineup. The album, to be released in November, features interpretations of works by Finnish composers such as Jean Sibelius, Oskar Merikanto, Toivo Kuula, Selim Palmgren, and Yrjö Kilpinen. The first single, Silloin laulan—originally composed by Kilpinen to texts from Kanteletar—takes on new life through a powerful performance by Paleface.
Over the decades, Piirpauke has boldly blended influences from diverse musical traditions, from nuevo flamenco and mbalax to jazz, progressive rock, musica llanera, and Romani and Turkish styles. Lumo brings these global sounds together while honoring Finland’s classical heritage.
Formed at the 1975 Pori Jazz Festival, Piirpauke’s debut remains the best-selling instrumental album ever released in Finland. Having performed hundreds of concerts worldwide, the group has shared stages with artists such as Miles Davis, Ravi Shankar, Astor Piazzolla, and Nirvana.
Line-up:
Sakari Kukko – piano, saxophones, flutes
Matti Salo – guitars
Ari Hossi – bass
Ilmari Heikinheimo – drums, percussion
