New Orleans Helsinki Connection is a group of New Orleans and Helsinki based musicians that play traditional New Orleans jazz with a youthful 21st century touch. Its members represent the very best of this style in their homelands and have been playing together in various bands for years.
In the summer of 2002, a long time dream of a joint band finally became reality. The band had a successful three-week tour in Finland. In the fall of 2003, New Orleans Helsinki Connection headed in to the studio, and the new, aptly titled CD "At Last" came out in April 2004.
"At Last" and contains classic New Orleans favorites like "Shake It And Break It", jazz standards like "Them There Eyes" and original compositions like "The Sea Horse" and the brand new "New Orleans Helsinki Connection" where Leroy Jones joins Tricia Boutté on vocals.
The first edition was sold out and the record has been reprinted in the spring of 2006. It still is a favorite on many jazz radio shows.
The band includes the following musicians:
Tricia Boutté, vocals
Leroy Jones, trumpet and vocals
Katja Toivola, trombone
Todd Duke, guitar
Paul Longstreth, piano
Nobu Ozaki, bass
Thomas Rönnholm, drums
Things said about At Last:
"-- the players communicate like longtime friends throughout. Their Connection is strong."
Keith Spera, The Times Picayune 30/4/2004
"-- a nice meeting of friends that should please their many fans on both sides of the pond."
Geraldine Wyckoff, OffBeat 5/2004
Read more...