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![Tough Stuff]( "Tough Stuff")
![Tough Stuff]( "Tough Stuff")
![Tough Stuff]( "Tough Stuff")
![Tough Stuff]( "Tough Stuff")
Iiro Rantala
Iiro Rantala
Tough Stuff
VÖ: 30.05.2024
Genre: Good Time Jazz, Piano Jazz
This product will be released on 30 May 2024
ACTLP 9988-1,
614427998811
Iiro Rantala / piano
Conor Chaplin / acoustic bass
Anton Eger / drums
Mathias Heise / harmonica (guest on Liberty City)
The Iiro Rantala HEL Trio is capable of incredible contrasts, and therein lies its appeal. As a pianist, Rantala can take the breath away both with his lightness of touch and the grace of his melodic lines. But then he can transform himself into other, very different characters: there is one who inspires laughter with his rummaging in the piano, another whose pathos, openness and honesty touch every heart. He has a baroque demeanour, his playing is full of relish, so that it only takes a few notes and he already has the audience on his side.
At the same time, Anton Eger, with his irresistibly delicate playing fuelled by a wide variety of styles, and Conor Chaplin, with his weighty yet agile grooves on the bass, brings astonishing clarity and sense of form to the music. The HEL Trio should not be mistaken for a nostalgic back-to-the-roots project: "For me, music should always be going forwards," says Rantala. Iiro Rantala's restless, almost hyperactive approach, his urge to try things out and surprise his audience time and again, and his ability to play a wide variety of genres and styles authentically while always sounding like himself make him an exceptional figure among European pianists. Iiro Rantala’s musical journey has been full of twists and turns.
Iiro Rantala HEL Trio's album Tough Stuff is another milestone on that journey. And an important one.
Conor Chaplin / acoustic bass
Anton Eger / drums
Mathias Heise / harmonica (guest on Liberty City)
The Iiro Rantala HEL Trio is capable of incredible contrasts, and therein lies its appeal. As a pianist, Rantala can take the breath away both with his lightness of touch and the grace of his melodic lines. But then he can transform himself into other, very different characters: there is one who inspires laughter with his rummaging in the piano, another whose pathos, openness and honesty touch every heart. He has a baroque demeanour, his playing is full of relish, so that it only takes a few notes and he already has the audience on his side.
At the same time, Anton Eger, with his irresistibly delicate playing fuelled by a wide variety of styles, and Conor Chaplin, with his weighty yet agile grooves on the bass, brings astonishing clarity and sense of form to the music. The HEL Trio should not be mistaken for a nostalgic back-to-the-roots project: "For me, music should always be going forwards," says Rantala. Iiro Rantala's restless, almost hyperactive approach, his urge to try things out and surprise his audience time and again, and his ability to play a wide variety of genres and styles authentically while always sounding like himself make him an exceptional figure among European pianists. Iiro Rantala’s musical journey has been full of twists and turns.
Iiro Rantala HEL Trio's album Tough Stuff is another milestone on that journey. And an important one.
Iiro Rantala
"Intelligence, humor, a lot of sentiment, unpredictable ideas, and exquisite piano craftsmanship" (FAZ). Finnish pianist Iiro Rantala is described as "a force of nature at the keys" (Jazz Thing). For nearly 20 years, he dominated jazz stages across Europe and beyond with the anarchic trio Töykeät.
His subsequent ACT debut album, "Lost Heroes," marked a turning point in his music. While unrestrained exuberance had previously ruled, Rantala now seeks and finds strength in melody, harmony, and deep emotion. His mischievousness still shines through, along with his outstanding classical piano skills.
Rantala manages a delicate balance in many ways. He's celebrated by critics, receiving accolades like the German Record Critics' Annual Award, the ECHO Jazz, the Finnish EMMA Award, and many more. Simultaneously, he's a favorite of audiences, performing at hundreds, if not thousands, of concerts. Whether in classical temples like the Berlin Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie, Konzerthaus Berlin, Philharmonie Köln, or in jazz clubs and festivals throughout Europe, he captivates audiences.
Whether performing solo, as a trio, or with a full orchestra, Rantala traverses jazz, classical, pop, and Nordic songs. He combines sentiment and melancholy with a lot of wit and charm. In short, he's a master of modern, boundless piano playing.
€24.99*
€17.50*
€17.50*
CD
€18.00*