Séverine Morfin’s Mad Maple (FR) and Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen on a Co-Production Tour in September
The joint production tour of the Finnish Jazz Federation and the Vapaat äänet agency brings together violist Séverine Morfin’s ensemble Mad Maple and the duo of vocalist Selma Savolainen and bassist Eero Tikkanen. Some of the tour concerts are part of the Better Live project, which focuses on developing more ecologically and socially sustainable touring in Europe.
“If trees could share their view on the state of the world, what would they say?
Perhaps they would tell us that our world has gone mad…”
In her Mad Maple work, violist Séverine Morfin questions our relationship with nature and its soundscape. Composed for viola, guitar, clarinet, monotron, and soundtracks, the work is divided into three parts blending written sections and improvisation. The soundtracks, alongside the instruments, feature field recordings and sampled instruments. Sound designer Céline Grangey operates the tapes, which come alive just like the instruments themselves.
Mad Maple turns concern for the state of our planet into an intense poetic performance. The wind blows alongside the viola, forest birds sing with Élodie Pasquier’s clarinet, and glaciers engage in dialogue with Guillaume Magne’s guitar. The sounds merge into layers, and soon we no longer know where they originate. They are equal voices, fusing into a single moving and living synthesis.
Eero Tikkanen (left, photo: Johanna Hjorth) and Selma Savolainen (right, photo: Severi Uusitalo)
“We think of an island, the sea surrounding it. The air, the airflow, inhalation and exhalation. How much life is packed into one moment, one pause.”
The journey that began for vocalist Selma Savolainen and bassist Eero Tikkanen on Iso-Kraaseli island during Raahe Jazz on the Beach 2021 has since continued at Korpo Sea Jazz 2022, as well as on Helsinki’s Lammassaari and Tervasaari islands. After these island performances, Selma and Eero will come ashore on September 22nd at Hietsu Beach in Helsinki, kicking off an intensive week-long tour across Finland.
Vocalist, composer, and lyricist Selma Savolainen is known for her powerful yet sensitive interpretations. Her debut solo album Horror Vacui, released by Whirlwind Recordings in 2023, won the Jazz Emma Award in 2024. Named Pori Jazz’s Rising Talent in 2022, Savolainen also performs with Signe, Mikko Sarvanne Garden and Mikko Innanen’s new quintet.
Bassist Eero Tikkanen’s energetic expressiveness and open-mindedness are hallmarks of this fearless musician, whose versatility ranges from experimental to traditional genres. Tikkanen can be heard in many off-mainstream and cult-status bands such as The Mystic Revelation of Teppo Repo, Joose Keskitalo, Selma Savolainen Horror Vacui, Phardah, and Jorma Tapio & Kaski.
Séverine Morfin Mad Maple (FR)
Séverine Morfin – viola, compositions
Élodie Pasquier – clarinet, monotron
Guillaume Magne – guitar
Céline Grangey – tapes, sound design
Selma Savolainen & Eero Tikkanen
Selma Savolainen – vocals
Eero Tikkanen – double bass
Concert venues and dates
Mon 22.9. at 19:00 Helsinki, Hietsun Paviljonki* / Hietsu is Happening! & Helsinki Jazz ry
Tue 23.9. at 19:00 – Tampere, G Livelab Tampere*
Wed 24.9. at 19:00 – Oulu, Theatre Restaurant Aulis* / OMJ Jazz & Etno
Thu 25.9. at 19:00 – Raahe, Kinosalonki Sofia / Rantajatsiklubi
Fri 26.9. at 18:00 – Seinäjoki, Kalevan Navetta, Hugo Hall* / Jazzoikoon!
Sat 27.9. at 19:00 – Äänekoski, Painotalo
Sun 28.9. at 18:00 – Joensuu, Näyttämö* / Joensuun Jazzkerho -76 ry
Produced by Vapaat äänet and the Finnish Jazz Federation. Supported by Creative Europe, Association Jazzé Croisé, the French Institute, Spedidam, and the Finnish Music Foundation (MES).
*Tour concert is part of the Better Live project. The Finnish Jazz Federation and several of its member organizations participate in the four-year EU-funded Better Live – A Sustainable Circulation of Musicians in Europe project, which develops and promotes more ecologically and socially sustainable touring in Europe. The project is funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme and the Polish Ministry of Culture’s Culture Promotion Fund.
www.severinemorfin.com
www.selmasavolainen.com
www.vapaataanet.fi
www.betterlivemusic.com
Cover photo: Maxime Francois
