Valjakka & Vannesluoma: En Soufflant

Jazz pianist Juho Valjakka and jazz singer Josefiina Vannesluoma dive into their experiences with classical music and flute playing in their new duo project.

At the heart of Valjakka & Vannesluoma’s music, described as acoustic avant-garde, are listening, intuition, and playfulness. The French title En Soufflant (meaning “blowing, whispering” in Finnish) refers to the duo’s shared background as classical flutists. Their music contains references to flute playing through breathing phrases, flute-like tones, and inventive textures, where two bright-voiced soloists challenge the traditional singer-accompanist dynamic. The repertoire also draws inspiration from gems of classical flute music, with the concert featuring glimpses of a flute sonata that once moved a young heart, as well as a scat interpretation of a flutist’s articulation étude.

Juho Valjakka is a pianist and composer specializing in jazz and improvised music, fascinated by artistic ambiguity and the possibilities of undefined expression. In addition to his critically acclaimed Juho Valjakka Trio, which has been nominated for a Jazz Emma award, he has performed with several of Finland’s leading jazz ensembles, including UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Lassy–Eskola Nordic Stew, and Riikka Keränen.

Josefiina Vannesluoma, originally from Turku, is a singer and composer who has received no less than three Jazz Emma nominations. Her artistic expression reflects an interest in interdisciplinary art and diverse musical cultures. In addition to leading Mortal Lease, she also directs Signe, a vocal ensemble with an unusual instrumentation of four voices and a double bass. Vannesluoma’s clear high register is also heard in Mikko Sarvanne Garden, the winner of the 2023 Teosto Prize.

Juho Valjakka: piano
Josefiina Vannesluoma: vocals, flute

Photo: Nawras Odda

The concert is supported by City of Helsinki, Svenska Kulturfonden and The Finnish Music Foundation.