EEPPI URSIN has been both a musician and a vocalist in bands since her elementary school music classes. A career in music seemed even then to be the only satisfying goal. She played the piano to accompany her own singing and studied oboe for ten year [+]EEPPI URSIN has been both a musician and a vocalist in bands since her elementary school music classes. A career in music seemed even then to be the only satisfying goal. She played the piano to accompany her own singing and studied oboe for ten years, thus becoming quite familiar with the world of classical music. Another style of music was, however, closer to her heart. In high school, Eeppi developed an interest in jazz music: after graduation, she studied in Orivesi and in Joensuu, and then returned to her hometown of Helsinki in 2000 to study pop/jazz music and singing further at Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia. Eeppi was rewarded for her many years of concentrated efforts in jazz by winning the first place in the Lady Summertime Jazz contest. After an exclusive jazz phase, Eeppi dared to trust her own voice without emotional limitations brought upon by varied musical styles yet benefiting from the different influences. In a few years time, Eeppi has gained a foothold in music circles in Finland, and she is presently engaged as a singer, composer and arranger for both her own Eeppi Ursin Band and Warp!, Castafioren Korut and Aino A. Eeppi can be heard in various jazz compositions as a guest vocalist as well, and she has extensive experience on the stage in Finland as well as abroad, for example, in Norway, Kenya and The United States. In addition to the Eeppi Ursin Band Violet album, Eeppi sings for example on the "Pehmeä" record by the Soi-Ensemble, on Mika Pohjola's "Muumilauluja" (Moomin Voices) and "Scandinavian Yuletide Voices" records (available at CD Baby), and on the Warp! Group record. Eeppi performs as a guest vocalist on "Canto Finlandia" records that have been on the hit list.
AKI RISSANEN grew up in Kuopio. He studied classical piano for 13 years but early on became interested in improvised music. Ultimately jazz influences triumphed, and he played in several jazz assemblies in Kuopio before moving to Helsinki in 2000 to study pop/jazz piano at Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia. In 2002, Aki started to study at the Sibelius Academy jazz department. He has been involved in both classical music and jazz all along, with the two styles interacting. Presently Aki is directing his own bands Warp! and Aki Rissanen Trio, and plays in Verneri Pohjo
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