Mats Gustafsson & Kimmo Pohjonen

Accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen (b. 1964) has taken the stage in various productions with ensembles, ballet dancers, wrestlers and running farming engines alike. But there is a combination that has never been heard before in Finland: at Tampere Jazz Happening, Pohjonen will share the big stage with a saxophonist, only for the second time in his long career.

The first time was last May in the capital of Slovenia Ljubljana, where Pohjonen met the Swedish Mats Gustafsson (b. 1964) at the 40th anniversary of a local world music event. This was the first time they played together – or properly met. The idea of a duo concert was proposed to Pohjonen by the promoter of Druga Godba Festival Bogdan Benigar. 

“I took him up on the offer right away, as Mats is one of the two saxophonists I’ve wanted to play with for a long time. Nowadays he’s also the only possible one, as Peter Bröztmann passed away last year.”

While Pohjonen, a seasoned duo performer especially with drummers, has not been avoiding saxophonists, the combination has never felt tempting – mainly because of the different dynamics of the instruments. Until now with Gustafsson and his baritone saxophone. “There’s surely enough counterforce in his playing if and when I want to play loud.”

Pohjonen and Gustafsson’s first concert – playfully called the Finland vs. Sweden head-to-head – was mostly improvised without any compositions or real rehearsal. 

The duo will take the same approach in Tampere and at Tullikamari Pakkahuone, where the air will be filled with a sense of celebration. Pohjonen turned 60 in August, and Gustafsson will hit the same milestone in October, a few days before their concert at Tampere Jazz Happening.