Album Notes

Sketches of Art in Artists is an unique recording of Frio, a group of musicians trying to find a living, improvisatory connection between art of painting - experiencing the paintings and music.

These pieces sketch portraits from cubist Pablo Picasso to Kalervo Palsa, "Henry Miller of Lapland". We got to join in the profound enigma of space of the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. We understand more profoundly the prayer of a pencil, and we also hear the melancholic theme of the Finnish-Jewish painter Rafael Wardi.

The essential in these pieces is the musician´s ability to believe in the musicality of pictures.Their sounds bring out the secret dimensions and everyday scents of the visual arts that often remain hidden in artists´studios and captives of the literary interpretations of art critics.

Here, in addition to colours and techniques, our ears can see the inner faith of the artists.


Sampo Lassila is one of the leading bassplayers in Finland in both modern jazz and classical music circles. Among others he has worked with Edward Vesala and Raoul Bjorkenheim and performs regularly with Doina Klezmer, Zagros Chamber Music Ensemble and Lahti Symphony Orchestra.

Heikki Nikula is internationally wellknown classical clarinetist, well experienced in improvisation. He performs with Avanti Chamber Orchestra, Free Okapi, Helsinki Filharmonic Orchestra and as a soloist for numerous modern compositions.

Jorma Tapio, woodwinds, is wellknown for his playing with Edward Vesala Sound&Fury, Terje Isungset, Daunik Lazro and his own projects.

Tipi Tuovinen is one of the leading sound engineers/music producers in Finland.