Jarno Kukkonen Present

“Jarno Kukkonen Present” was formed in 2005 in Helsinki, Finland, when guitarist and composer, Jarno Kukkonen, teamed up with keyboard player, George Kontrafouris, just to play something for fun and to practice together. The guys jammed with several drummers before Jaska Lukkarinen came in and stayed. Now the band was complete and Jarno began to bring his originals into rehearsals. After some woodshedding and a couple of gigs in the Helsinki area, the guys booked the famous Finnvox studio B, complete with a Hammond organ, for two days in early July, 2006. Here they taped their first album, “Jarno Kukkonen: Present & absent” in collaboration with engineer Tommi Vainikainen. After hearing the rough mixes, drummer and producer Sami Kuoppamäki signed the band with his independent “Kuru Records” label. The album has been out since May 23, 2007.The all-original music of Jarno Kukkonen consists of strong grooves and catchy themes. Combined with precise execution and interactive improvising, most would call the resulting music “jazz”. Others may call it “groove” or even “party music”. Anyway, the music has elements of jazz, rock, r&b, soul, funk and some ethnic musics.The band went back to studio in June 2008 to lay down tracks for their second CD, “Jarno Kukkonen: Open Case”. The results are exciting, showcasing the group's current, more raw, even rocklike direction. This album will be out in January 2010.Jarno Kukkonen (born 1964) arrived on the Finnish jazz scene with his first radio recordings at the age of fifteen in 1980. Since then he has worked with practically everyone involved on the Finnish jazz scene and also abroad. He has recorded with Eero Koivistoinen, Jukka Gustavson, Ron McClure, and UMO Jazz Orchestra, to name a few. He's also working as a freelance guitarist and composer/arranger. He has two previous albums out, “Uni” (1999) and “Sakura” (2000). These were released on his “CURecords” label under the artist name, “Cuccone.”George Kontrafouris (born 1967), of Greek origin, lived in Helsinki, Finland from 2003 to 2007, before moving back to Greece. By this time, besides being a first-class jazz pianist, he established himself as a true representative of the jazz organ tradition. He is known throughout Europe, through performances with the likes of Lou Donaldson and Keith Copeland.Jaska Lukkarinen (born 1982) has established himself as one of the foremost drummers of the younger generation. Besides his activities as a jazz drummer, he has also worked with Värttinä - Finland's leading world music group since 1990's. Jaska is currently also leading his own group: “Jaska Lukkarinen Trio” recorded its debut album in June 2008.