picture of Jukka Gustavson
Jukka Gustavson
Jukka (born 1951) is one of the key figures in the Finnish prog history. After participations as a vocalist and an organist in several bands in Porvoo or Helsinki area he joined WIGWAM in the summer of 1969. His contribution to four classic WIGWAM albums (Hard N' Horny 1969, Tombstone Valentine 1970, Fairyport 1971 and Being 1974) is essential. Jukka's style was fruitfully different from the other leading member, British-born Jim Pembroke, who leaned towards tighter, pop-oriented song structures. Gustavson wrote more esoteric and jazzier music, and he was often compared to his main influence Steve Winwood of TRAFFIC, especially as a vocalist. The ultimate WIGWAM classic, Being, is for the most part Jukka's work. Both Gustavson and bassist Pekka Pohjola left WIGWAM in favour of notable solo careers, whereas WIGWAM changed the style considerably towards pop under the guidance of Jim Pwmbroke and the new guitarist Pekka Rechardt (Nuclear Nightclub 1975 was a big commercial success).
 
Jukka Gustavson started his solo output with the album ....jaloa ylpeyttä yletän.... ylevää nöyryyttä nousen (1978); the title could be translated Noble pride I reach... sublime humility I rise. The music was composed for the ballet work Yksin yhdessä (Alone Together) and it reflects Jukka's interpretations of the Bible. Next year he became a Jehovah's Witness. Instrumental album Valon vuoksi (1979) was composed for a dance piece coreographed by his wife Leena. Third album Toden toistoa (1981) features also vocals, but the music is bright and airy fusion.
 
The next album came over a decade later: Bluesion (1992) puts emphasis on piano and features some experimental pieces with sound effects and speech parts. In my opinion that album suffers from too sparse instrumentation and a lack of direction, but the fifth album Kadonnut häviämättömiin (1995; Lost in the imperishable) is among his very best. It also could be described as progressive rock instead of a stronger jazz orientation which he has favoured in this millennium.
 
Gustavson plays several keyboards including electric piano, Hammond and Moog, and he is considered one of the finest keyboardists in the Finnish jazz scene.
 
Matti Pajuniemi
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on tour Click on the logo to see Jukka's tour dates.

 

Discography
Fairyport
Love Records LRLP 44/45
released 1971
recorded 1971 in Helsinki/Finland
Jukka Gustavson, vocals, piano, organ
Ronnie Österberg, drums, congas, percussion
Jim Pembroke, vocals, harmonica, piano
Pekka Pohjola, bass, violins, guitar, keyboards
Unto Haapa-aho, bass clarinet
Eero Koivistoinen, soprano sax
Tapio Louhensalo, bassoon
Risto Pensola, clarinet
Pekka Pöyry, soprano sax
Hannu Sexelin, clarinet
Jukka Tolonen, guitar
Ilmari Varila, oboe
Tolonen!
Sonet SNTF 652
released 1974
recorded October 1971 in Helsinki/Finland
Jukka Tolonen, guitar, piano, spinet
Pekka Pöyry, soprano sax, alto sax
Jukka Gustavson, organ
Pekka Pohjola, bass
Heikki Virtanen, bass
Reino Laine, drums
Ronnie Österberg, drums
...Jaloa Ylpeyttä Yletän....Ylevää Nöyryyttä Nousen
Love Records LRLP 194
released 1978
Jukka Gustavson, organ, piano, harpsichord, celesta, synthesizer, percussion Eero Koivistoinen, conductor
Eero Koivistoinen, sopranino, tenor sax
Pekka Pöyry, soprano sax, alto sax, flute, alto flute
Pentti Lahti, alto sax, bass clarinet
Juhani Aaltonen, tenor sax, flute
Sakari Kukko, tenor sax
Paroni Paakkunainen, baritone sax
Jussi Aalto, trombone
Tom Bildo, bass trombone
Sointu Huuskonen, bass trombone
Markku Johansson, trumpet, flugelhorn
Simo Salminen, trumpet, flugelhorn
Paavo Lampinen, bass clarinet
Matti Tossavainen, bassoon
Aale Lindgren, English horn, oboe
Tapio Salonen, English horn
Timo Ronkainen, French horn
Esa-Pekka Salonen, French horn
Matti Teikari, French horn
Kaarlo Pietikäinen, oboe
Ilmari Varila, oboe
Kullervo Kojo, clarinet
Reino Simola, clarinet
Risto Pensola, clarinet
Juha Björninen, guitar
Esa Kotilainen, organ, synthesizer
Heikki Virtanen, bass
Tomi Parkkonen, drums, percussion
Pauli Hämäläinen, percussion
Fresh Garbage
Love Records LXCD 626
recorded 1969-1977 in Finland
Jukka Gustavson, vocals, piano, organ
Mats Huldén, bass
Nikke Nikamo, guitar
Jim Pembroke, vocals, keyboards
Ronnie Österberg, drums, congas, percussion
Pekka Pohjola, bass, fiddle
Rekku Rechardt, guitar
Måsse Groundstroem, bass
Hessu Hietanen, keyboards
Esa Kotilainen, keyboards
Heikki Silvennoinen, guitar
Between Fire And Ice
RockAdillo ZENCD 2082
recorded August through December 2002 in Finland
Jukka Gustavson, keyboards, vocals
Juha Verona, bass
Pentti Lahti, woodwinds
Rami Eskelinen, drums
Root & Stalk & Flower Music
RockAdillo ZENCD 2144
recorded August 2011 through February 2012 in Helsinki/Finland
Jukka Gustavson, Hammond organ, Nordstage 88, vocals
Juha Verona, bass
Pekka Nylund, guitar
Pentti Lahti, woodwinds
Rami Eskelinen, drums
Esa Onttonen, conductor of string band
Prognosis
RockAdillo ZENCD 2172
recorded January through May 2019 in Helsinki/Finland
Jukka Gustavson, Hammond A-100 organ, Wurlitzer piano, keyboards, vocals
Jari "Heinä" Nieminen, guitar
Janne Rajala, bass
Thomas Törnroos, drums, percussion
Natural High
RockAdillo ZENCD 2180
recorded October 2020 through June 2021 in Helsinki/Finland
Spotify
Jukka Gustavson, Hammond A-100 organ, keyboards, synthesizer, vocals
Jan-Olof Strandberg, bass
Thomas Törnroos, drums, percussion

 
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