Piirpauke celebrates 30th Anniversary

Finnish-multicultural world music pioneer Piirpauke celebrates 30th Anniversary. The festivities include new releases – the Anniversary compilation "Ikiliikkuja" and remastered versions of the group's first albums – and jubilee concert at Savoy Theatre, Helsinki, on October 8.

Undisputedly one of world music pioneers, Piirpauke made multicultural music collages even before anyone had even come up with a name for the genre. Founded in 1974 by its mastermind Sakari Kukko, the group has gone through numerous line-up changes and consequently approached different music corners of the world during its existence. Influence has been drawn from jazz, rock and classical music as well.

The jubilee concert offers a huge retrospective to the extensive career of Piirpauke. It features tunes from the group's very beginning to this day, and 17 musicians that include ex-members as well as current players of Piirpauke. From Finland, Spain and Senegal, staged are Sakari Kukko, Hasse Walli, Antti Hytti, Jukka Wasama, Otto Romanowski, Olli-Pekka Wasama, Juha Björninen, Pekka Nylund, Ilpo Saastamoinen, Tom Nekljudow, Badu Ndjai, Malang Cissokho, Markku Ounaskari, Cinta Hermo, Ismaila Sane, Joonas Ahonen and Ville Herrala.

Mika Kauhanen/Fimic
21 September, 2004