Biography
Kvalda, a jazz ensemble originated in Jyväskylä, Finland, combines lucid Scandinavian jazz and free expression into a fresh and modern blend of
music. It is characteristic of the quartet to diffuse the boundaries of improvisation and composition.
Kvalda won the inter-Nordic competition Young Nordic Jazz Comets 2004 - the final was held at Stockholm Jazz Festival. The quartet, formed in autumn 2002,
has experience of several performances both in Finland (e.g. Pori Jazz, Keitelejazz, Jyväskylä Summer Jazz, Jazz Bar, Jazz-Espa, UMO Jazz Fest) and
abroad (e.g. in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Greece).
Kvalda has released two albums: Leia (2007) and Kvalda (2004).
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Aili Ikonen, vocals (born 20 May 1982) >www
Aili is currently studying jazz and folk music at Sibelius Academy. In addition to Kvalda, Aili is working with bands Hereä, Outi Tarkiainen Ensemble and the vocal group Satureja. She has also been featured as a soloist for UMO Jazz Orchestra and Jyväskylä Big Band. Aili received the jazz club Jazz Bar's reward for the Musician Of The Year in 2003. Aili is also a member of the Finnish association of female jazz musicians, Jazzsiskot.
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Antti Kujanpää, piano (born 16 September 1979) >www
Antti has been studying at Sibelius Academy's Jazz Music Department since 2003. During 2005 and 2006 he spent a year studying in Trondheim, Norway. Antti's other groups include P-säädin, Hayden Powell Quartet, Heikki Summanen Quartet, Tähtelän Valot and Czech Finnish
Connection. Antti was awarded the Musician Of The Year -prize by Jazz Bar in 2002.
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Jori Huhtala, (born 17 September 1984) >www
Originating from Jyväskylä, Jori finished his studies at the local Conservatoire in 2004. Currently he studies at the Jazz Music Department of Sibelius Academy. Jori also plays in groups Apilas, Kaisa Kulmala Trio, Outi Tarkiainen Ensemble, Heikki Summanen Quartet, P-säädin, Takif and Myöhä. In October 2007 Jori received a prize for a talented student from Sibelius Academy, in association with the investment bank Cazenove. Jori received the Newcomer Of The Year -prize by Jazz Bar in 2001.
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Hanne Pulli, drums (born 7 July 1982)
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Hanne is originally from Savonlinna and nowadays she lives in Helsinki. Hanne is finishing her studies at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences to become a music pedagogist in spring 2008. Hanne leads her own group Hanne Pulli & Space Machine and plays also with Heikki Summanen Quartet. Hanne is a member of the Finnish association of female jazz musicians, Jazzsiskot. Hanne received Jazz Bar's Musician Of The Year -reward in 2003, alongside with Aili. In 2004 she received the prize for the Best Soloists in the Finnish competition for big bands. In 2005 Hanne was elected as the Artist of the Year by Pori Jazz Festival, and during the same year she recived the Nokia Young Talent -student grant and was elected as a first Finn in history to the IAJE's Sisters In Jazz -ensemble.
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