Mattias Risberg Mining International & Bergman – Innanen – Solberg trio

Mattias Risberg Mining International

Thea Grant: vocal (NO)
David Stackenäs: guitar (SE)
Antti Lötjönen: bass (FI)
Fredrik Ljungkvist: reeds (SE)
Peter Bruun: drums (DK)
Mattias Risberg: keys & compositions (SE)

Bandleader Mattias Risberg continues to expand his mammoth project “Mining”, which has become a success in Sweden. This new constellation is a collaboration between six Nordic all-star musicians and is a continuation of the project that Risberg started in 2018 in the mining area of Bergslagen in central Sweden where he grew up. In the music we can sense ingredients from Mingus, Zappa, Stravinsky, Genesis, Kate Bush, King Crimson, Miles Davis, etc. The ensemble have charmed the jazz world with their intricate compositions, wild improvisations and spontaneous whims. Since the start, they have released five albums. The latest album ”Mining at Fasching…and elsewhere” won the Swedish Manifest Prize for best Swedish jazz album 2025.

What’s their next step? Nasdaq?

Photos: Thea Grant – Una Aurora Venås, other photos – Sakari Puhakka

Bergman – Innanen – Solberg

Mikko Innanen: wind instruments
Elsa Bergman (SE): bass
Ståle Liavik Solberg (NO): drums

Norwegian drummer Ståle Liavik Solberg has been active on the international improvised music scene for several years, performing with musicians such as John Butcher, Phil Minton, John Russell, Barre Phillips, Steve Beresford and Joe McPhee. In Oslo, he co-organises the Blow Out! concert series and festival together with fellow drummer Paal Nilssen-Love.

Bassist Elsa Bergman represents a new and energetic generation of Swedish improvised music, for whom boundaries are simply there to be crossed. Bergman’s collaborators have included Lisa Ullén, Anna Högberg, Susana Santos Silva, who has also performed at Hietsu, Per Åke Holmberg and Mats Gustafsson.

Mikko Innanen is one of the most prominent Finnish saxophonists and composers of his generation, having earned widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. His artistic work is characterised by boundary-breaking curiosity, a willingness to embrace the unexpected, and powerful emotions. At the Hietsu concert, we will hear a new Nordic trio inspired by free improvisation for the very first time.

Photos: Ståle Liavik Solberg – Tore Sætre, other photos – Sakari Puhakka

The concert is organised in collaboration with the Hietsu Is Happening! event series.

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