Take Five With Esa Pietila

AAJ Staff

Contributor since 1995

Various staff members.

Recent articles (1,149 total)

Published: October 5, 2010

Meet Esa Pietilä:
Esa´s original style and various projects—trio, new quartet (formed 2008, with ECM artist Iro Haarla Iro Haarla
, solo saxophone concerts and more, have stabilized his position performing on the national/international jazz circuit, and have led him to dates in Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, The Netherlands, Austria, Iceland, England, USA, Australia, New Zeeland, Brazil and Cuba. He has performed with the names like Ron McClure Ron McClure
b.1941
bass , Mathias Eick Mathias Eick
b.1979
trumpet , Mike Nock Mike Nock
b.1940
piano , Claudio Fasoli Claudio Fasoli
, Heiri Kaenzig, Anders Begcrantz, Odean Pope Odean Pope
b.1938
saxophone , Raoul Bjorkenheim, Brian Melvin Brian Melvin
, Iro Haarla Iro Haarla
, Filip Augustson, Hilmar Jensson Hilmar Jensson
, Johannes Messinger, Kjartan Valdemarsson, Fabian Kuratli and many others.

Instrument(s):
Saxophones.

Teachers and/or influences?
Teachers: various, but to pick one: Dave Liebman Dave Liebman
b.1946
saxophone .

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I was 13.

Your sound and approach to music:
free improv.

Favorite venue:
Padova Jazz Festival, Italy

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?
Solo album, Karhea, because it expanded my expression to the level of fully improvised solo sax.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
Delivering the message of improvised music.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?
Versatile and growing.

What is in the near future?
The fall season of 2010 starts with: a series of four solo concerts in Finland during the fall; an interesting project of the 21st Century Baroque Trio performing avant-garde versions of Henry Purcell's songs; a concert with piano guest Michael Jefry Stevens Michael Jefry Stevens
b.1951
piano (USA) and cellist Juho Laitinen. Esa Pietilä's 4 Streams group has a new repertoire that will be premiered at the Rytmihairio club in October.