Ottopasuuna Explained

Ottopasuuna
Origin:Helsinki, Finland
Genre:Folk music
Years Active:1990s
Label:Texicalli, Xenophile
Past Members:Petri Hakala
Kurt Lindblad
Kimmo Pohjonen
Kari Reiman

Ottopasuuna was a Finnish folk music ensemble that mixed their country's traditional music with forms from elsewhere in Europe, played with unconventional instruments.[1]

History

Ottopasuuna was formed in the early 1990s by Petri Hakala (mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar, fiddle), Kurt Lindblad (flute, bagpipe), Kimmo Pohjonen (accordion), and Kari Reiman (fiddle; also a member of Värttinä).[2] By 1994, Lindblad had been replaced by Kristiina Ilmonen (whistles, flute, Irish flute) and Janne Lappalainen (bass clarinet, bazouki). Many of the band members were previously part of Finland's Sibelius Academy.

The band is primarily associated with contemporary Finnish folk music and its influences include "the Finno-Ugrian world (...) dance tunes and melodies from Estonia, Ingria, Ostrobothnia (...) and Karelia."[3] Hakala, in particular, has been recognized for his ability to master multiple instruments and is described as "one of the finest players around" in folk and rock traditions of Finland.

In 1991, Ottopasuuna released a critically acclaimed self-titled album through Green Linnet Records.[4] [5] It was the first Finnish folk album to be released internationally.[6]

Discography

Members

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ottopasuuna Biography & History. 18 January 2021. AllMusic. en.
  2. Peltoniemi . Kip . 6 January 1994 . Making the Finnish music scene; Kansa ja Kallio . The Finnish American Reporter . Hancock . Finlandia University . 18.
  3. 1994 . Reviews (Finland) . Scandinavian Review . American Scandinavian Foundation . 82-83 . 86.
  4. Web site: Sawyers . June . Ottopasuuna Ottopasuuna (Green Linnet) . 18 January 2021 . Chicago Tribune . en-US.
  5. Book: MultiCultural Review. Dedicated to a Better Understanding of Ethnic, Racial, and Religious Diversity . GP Subscription Publications . 1993 . 2 . Westport, CT.
  6. Web site: Petri Hakala: CoMando Guest of the Week. 18 January 2021. mandozine.com.