Arto Järvelä

by Harri Römpötti :: 2004

Arto Järvelä has played in over ten folk music combos over the past 25 years. He was born in the famous folk music region of Kaustinen, and has inherited his excellent fiddler skills from his family which has produced three generations of musicians.

In 1980, 16-year old Järvelä composed his "Tango in A minor", the opus one of his 70 pieces. A couple of years later, he was one of the founders of the world-famous JPP. Around the same time, he began his studies at the Sibelius Academy, not only learning violin, but acquiring skills in nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle), mandolin and kantele as well, not to mention jamming on the ancient jouhikko, Finnish bowed lyre.

His other groups along the years include Niekku, Tallari, Salamakannel, Ampron Prunni, Koinurit, Pinnin Pojat, Maria Kalaniemi & Aldargaz, the Helsinki Mandoliners and Erik Hokkanen & Lumisudet. More recently, he has formed a new trio with JPP colleague Timo Alakotila and Swedish fiddler Hans Kennemark.

Arto Järvelä has featured on dozens of albums. The first of his three solo albums showcases his original compositions, while the second one is dedicated to the tunes of his fiddling heroes of yesteryear. His latest effort "Far In!" is an imaginative smorgasbord of styles and flavours, all original compositions, with every instrument played by Arto Järvelä himself.

Järvelä has toured over 30 countries across all the continents, including exotic locations such as Pakistan, Egypt and Thailand. When not touring, he is a keen winter swimmer.

Translated by Hanna-Mari Latham


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