An ad hoc concert where two working duos unite as four. As separate resonating bodies, the quartet explores the present moment through spontaneity and dialogue.

Marcus Wärnheim is a Swedish alto saxophonist and improviser, currently based in Amsterdam. His artistic output is primarily based in a genuine curiosity of sound, which he works with through intense listening and a thorough research of the physical possibilities of his instrument. In recent years he has been preoccupied with acoustic solo performances, improvisational meetings, interpretation of other’s compositions as a sideman, as well as trans-disciplinary collaborations with dancers and circus artists.

Jonathan Bäckström is a Finnish bassist, improviser, and composer currently based in Stockholm. With a foundation in (electro)acoustic exploration, his musical expression is characterized by a curiosity for acoustic details, timbre, preparations pand subtle textures. As an actively touring musician, he has performed in countries including Finland, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Estonia, Romania, Réunion and more.

Sam Ospovat Currently resideces in Brooklyn, USA. Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Ospovat played piano and sang in boys’ choir before picking up his first pair of drumsticks in 5th grade. Late nights spent improvising in friends’ parents’ basements eventually revealed to him the wisdom of moving to the Bay Area, where he studied percussion with William Winant, drum set with Peter Magadini, George Marsh and Eddie Marshall, and Haitian Vodou drumming with master drummer Daniel Brevil. Other projects he’s involved in represent a trenchant cross-section of the Brooklyn/NYC scene. They include the Flying Luttenbachers, Angelica Sanchez’ Nonet, Brandon Seabrook’s Die Trommel Fatal and Epic Proportions, Ava Mendoza’s avant-garde rock trio Unnatural Ways, and legendary underground post-rock spoken-word group Enablers. Ospovat has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe.

Photo credits (left to right): Private, David Laskowski, Jonathan Terlinden, Juliane Schütz

09.5. 7 pm at Toinen Kerros of Äänen Lumo (Nokiantie 2-4, Helsinki)

Flute-xpansion is an evening where four flutists, with different improvisatory and musical styles meet to explore the sonic possibilities of different flutes and electronics coming together. 

Flutists Heikki “Hepa” Halme, Livia Schweizer, and Turkka Inkilä will have the wonderful opportunity to play with an international guest, the improviser, flutist and composer Mark Alban Lotz, known for his cross-genre explorations.

Join for a sound travel with many flutes, and much more!

Mark Lotz

Mark Lotz is a flutist, soloist, improviser, and composer who is blending the vitality of jazz with the refinement of classical music. His performances draws listeners in, taking them on a journey of discovery and often seek out surprising and original settings, challenging conventions and expectations.

Praised as “one of the world’s top jazz flute players” (Los Angeles Jazz Scene Magazine, USA), and prominent member of the Dutch jazz scene for 30 years and a global performing artist with projects, recordings, and teaching engagements spanning the world.

As a bandleader, Lotz has released 21 albums. His music has received significant industry attention, with extensive radio play and features worldwide. A dedicated educator, teaching at two conservatories and giving masterclasses at all over the globe.

Lotz has collaborated with: Conga legend Miguel ‘Angá’ Diaz, Indian Underground star Najma Akthar, Soloists from Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, Moldovan viola virtuoso Anatol Steffanet, Romanian accordion icon Petar Ralchev, Tibetan songbird Namgyal Lhamo, Senegalese Fula vocalist Omar Ka.

In jazz and world music, he has worked with international luminaries such as Chris Potter, Don Byron, David Tronzo, Claudio Puntin, Matthew Ostrowski, Thomas Strønen, Carlos Zingaro, Johannes Bauer, NYC Latin legend Eddie Martinez, and Istanbul’s avant-garde group Islak Köpek. In the Netherlands, his collaborations include Theo Loevendie, Ernst Reijseger, Han Bennink, Zuco 103, Jesse van Ruller.

Livia Schweizer (b.1994) is an Italian-swiss freelancer and flutist based in Helsinki. After graduating from the conservatory in Livorno she moved to Finland in 2014 to study with Mikael Helasvuo, and since then she has been a versatile and active freelancer. She is member of the new music ensemble Earth Ears Ensemble, and she is now doing her artistic doctorate in MuTri Doctoral school within the Global Music Department, with the aim to explore how text scores and graphic scores can be used to foster intercultural collaborations in contemporary music. 

Turkka Inkilä (1989) is a Helsinki based composer and improviser. He works broadly in the field of electroacoustic music. In his artistic practice he explores the terrain between musical genres and traditions. His output ranges from performing japanese honkyoku music, and working with Sàmi musician Ánnámáret, to sound design and writing chamber music. 

Woodwind player Hepa Halme has been active in the Helsinki improv/experimental scene since early 1980 ́s. He studied musicology in The University of Helsinki and started his exploration on the “other sounds” in the electronic music studio there guided by the late Juuso Ruohomäki. His work as a freelancer includes all kinds of regular musical settings but his commitment and interest in expanding the limits of his expression has been going on all through his career.