| Freshet combines the US and Finnish backgrounds of Ruthie Dornfeld (fiddle), John Miller (guitar), Tapani Varis (double bass and overtone flutes) and Petri Hakala (mandolin). Founded in 2002, this is their debut CD and is a rich, enchanting musical journey that flows through the traditional music of Finland, American Folk and Jazz, and Latin American music. This is an extremely tight ensemble, bringing together effortless musicality and stunning improvisation: the interweaving conversations between fiddle and mandolin are superb as in 'Cranberry Hill' and Freshet glide from the summer swing feel straight into the driving verve of 'Orpolasten Polska' with simple ease.
Freshet is always surprising in it's eclecticism and yet is totally grounded by the obvious close musical understanding they share. The CD highlights the masterful fiddling of Ruthie Dornfeld, not just as a soloist but as a superb counterpart both to Petri Hakala's mercurial mandolin playing and as part of the rich rhythm playing of Tapani Varis and John Miller. These are four exceptional artists whose music exudes great energy and excitement. Addictive listening. Biographies:
Ruthie Dornfeld is an eclectic fiddler fluent in a wide variety of styles, from old-time, Celtic, Scandinavian, and Eastern European, to Latin. With Danish guitarist Morten Alfred Høirup, she founded The American Café Orchestra in the 1980s, beginning what has become a continuing collaboration with Scandinavian musicians. She has performed and taught throughout the USA, Europe, Russia and Brazil. A Seattle resident, Ruthie is currently a member of the French cabaret band Rouge, the stringband Funhouse, and a duo with guitarist John Miller.
Petri Hakala is a virtuoso mandolinist and has been a leading player in the vibrant Finnish folk music scene for twenty years. Master of a wide-ranging repertoire, from traditional Scandinavian music to American fiddle tunes and Brazilian chorinhos, Petri performs with accordion virtuoso Maria Kalaniemi, The Helsinki Mandoliners, accordionist Markku Lepisto, and Texas fiddler Erik Hokkanen, and teaching at the Sibelius Academy and Kokkola Conservatory.
John Miller is a legendary guitarist whose career spans country blues, bluegrass, and jazz genres. First recording in the 1970s as a soloist and with innovative banjoist Tony Trischka, he has since worked with jazz singer Rebecca Kilgore and in many instrumental jazz, blues and Latin groups. John currently lives in Seattle and performs with mandolinist John Reischman, fiddler Ruthie Dornfeld, in the French cabaret band Rouge, and as a soloist, as well as keeping a busy teaching schedule.
Tapani Varis has been in the forefront of the Finnish folk music scene for some 15 years, on bass, jew's harp, and overtone flute. His credits include stints with Finland's most popular folkband, Värttinä, as well as Maria Kalaniemi, Timo Alakotila, Arto Järvelä, The Helsinki Mandoliners and The American Cafe Orchestra. Tapani's groundbreaking CD Munniharppuuna highlights the jew's harp as a lead instrument.
For more info see www.freshet.net
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