Pokela - Sariola - Kontio | pt

Martti Eliel Pokela (23 January 1924 – 23 August 2007) was a Finnish folk musician and composer. Pokela was an expert with the kantele, Finland's national musical instrument. A kantele (or harppu in Sami) is a traditional plucked string instrument of the dulcimer and zither family native to Finland and Karelia. Pokela and his wife, Marjatta Pokela, were widely credited with ushering in a revival in interest in Finnish folk music beginning in the 1950s. Their daughter, Eveliina Pokela, began performing with them in the 1960s. Pokela merged traditional Finnish folk music with contemporary sounds. He and his family's albums...

Petteri Sariola plays a very percussive style that he calls ‘slam’. It’s an explosive mix sourced from different music, instruments, tunings and techniques. His ten fingers make ten instruments. He sounds like two guitarists, a bass player and a percussionist – rolled into one. No tapes, no loops. This is a style that few can master. This 22 year old virtuoso has been playing since he was 7, and is a 5th generation pro. Now, with 500 gigs under his thumb at home in Finland and abroad, he’s developed a fierce, intense and energetic presence that draws a crowd to...