Jarkko Riihimäki

Hi, I..m Jarkko, a Finnish pianist and living in Berlin since 2002. After a classical solistic education (Sibelius-Academy in Helsinki, Finland) I have been re-exploring all the styles of music I love. UC, for me it..s all about good music, I..m trying to stay open-minded for all kinds of stuff. Pop music has always been an essential part of my life, I grew up with a fantastic mixture of J.S.Bach and Whitney Houston&co. As a teenager I found jazz, which has followed me ever since. At a mature age of 16 I participated a master class of Horace Boyer in Connecticut and that really gave me a kick with the black gospel. So after high school I played six years with the gospel choir "His Master..s Noise" in Helsinki. During that time I had the greatest opportunity to play with truly devoted and experienced musicians. Although it was sometimes a constant cold shower for the classic boy, I am more than happy to have had this street university of band playing. Being a son of two choir conductors I have a lot to do with vocal music in many senses. I sang in a high school choir, I used to have an a cappella group (thanx to my big brother take6 and uncle mcferrin...), I studied and still play Lied, I have arranged much choir stuff and I even conduct a small choir myself. I am very happy to have marvellous musicians around me, I learn new things every day. A thought that gives me hope: despite all the crap that we have to listen to, there is more good music than anyone can hear during a lifetime. And there are certain things you even wanna hear twice...