Harri Sjöström (soprano & sopranino saxophone)
Born 29 February 1952 in Turku, Finland. Played piano, guitar and drums in his childhood. Studied music and fine art photography in San Francisco from 1974 - 1978; later film studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. Saxophone and flute with Hari Man, Leo Wright, Friedhelm Schönfeld, Steve Lacy; piano studies at the San Francisco Conservatory; attended special class for contemporary improvised music at the Lone Mountain College led by trombonist Johannes Mager; composition studies at the electro acoustic music department at Hochschule Für Musik Wien, Austria; composition class led by composers Prof. Haubenstock- Ramati and Prof. Friedrich Cerha.
The joyful, creative and intensive experiences with contemporary music, contemporary improvised music studies, and visual art studies captivated him so much that he has worked intensively ever since with improvised music, instant composing and in mixed media projects including film, photography, visual arts, theater and dance. Participated in master courses and workshops held by John Cage, George Russell, Steve Lacy, Bill Dixon, Daniel Kientzy, Evan Parker.
In 1980 -1985 he lived in Vienna, Austria, which became his doorway to the European contemporary music scene; formed his first groups and organized numerous artist exchange-projects in Finland and elsewhere. Brought many most notable innovators on the international contemporary improvisation scene to Finland. One of his early projects included a tour with Derek Bailey Company, which was their first in Finland; Bailey’s visit in Finland was largely commented by the finish press as »the occurrence« of the year in the contemporary music scene; moved to Berlin in 1985.
Energetic and with an appetite for risk he founded and co-founded many ensembles with highly interesting instrumental line-ups including such as Quintet Moderne, Sestetto Internazionale, MOVE - quintet European Composers Improvisors Orchestra - ECIO,
Up And Out, City Of Pyramids, The Player Is, Wait, Motström, Treasures Are - duo a.o.
The joyful, creative and intensive experiences with contemporary music, contemporary improvised music studies, and visual art studies captivated him so much that he has worked intensively ever since with improvised music, instant composing and in mixed media projects including film, photography, visual arts, theater and dance. Participated in master courses and workshops held by John Cage, George Russell, Steve Lacy, Bill Dixon, Daniel Kientzy, Evan Parker.
In 1980 -1985 he lived in Vienna, Austria, which became his doorway to the European contemporary music scene; formed his first groups and organized numerous artist exchange-projects in Finland and elsewhere. Brought many most notable innovators on the international contemporary improvisation scene to Finland. One of his early projects included a tour with Derek Bailey Company, which was their first in Finland; Bailey’s visit in Finland was largely commented by the finish press as »the occurrence« of the year in the contemporary music scene; moved to Berlin in 1985.
Energetic and with an appetite for risk he founded and co-founded many ensembles with highly interesting instrumental line-ups including such as Quintet Moderne, Sestetto Internazionale, MOVE - quintet European Composers Improvisors Orchestra - ECIO,
Up And Out, City Of Pyramids, The Player Is, Wait, Motström, Treasures Are - duo a.o.
Between 1990 and 2016 an extensive collaboration with the pianist and composer Cecil Taylor developed, including five live recordings with small ensembles and recordings with larger C.T. orchestras. Of particular note is the Cecil Taylor Quintet with C.T., Teppo Hauta-aho, Tristan Honsinger, Paul Lovens. Since the late 70s Harri performed at numerous international jazz and contemporary music festivals.
Cooperation with with Bernahrd Arndt, Yoko Arai, Sergio Armaroli, Matthias Bauer, Guy Bettini, Aliso Blunt, Tony Buck, Sergio Castrillón, Lawrence Casserley, Andrea Centazzo, Angerlo Contini, Michel Doneda, Markus Fagerudd, Emilio Gordoa, Frank Gratkowski, Teppo Hauta-aho, Steve Heather, Tristan Honsinger, Kalle Kalima, Achim Kaufmann, Veli Kujala, Jukka Kääriäinen, Okkyung Lee, Paul Lovens, Adam Pultz Melbye, Francesco Miccolis, Gianni Mimmo, Dag Magnus Narvesen, Heikki Nikula, Luca Pissavini, John Russell, Giancarlo Schiaffini, Günter Baby Sommer, Jone Takamäki, Janne Tuomi, Phil Wachsmann a.o.
Harri has been teaching saxophone since 1980 and is a vital member of the European contemporary improvised music scene; he has composed music for film and is still active today with his photography.
*portrait photo: Matthias Bothor
Cooperation with with Bernahrd Arndt, Yoko Arai, Sergio Armaroli, Matthias Bauer, Guy Bettini, Aliso Blunt, Tony Buck, Sergio Castrillón, Lawrence Casserley, Andrea Centazzo, Angerlo Contini, Michel Doneda, Markus Fagerudd, Emilio Gordoa, Frank Gratkowski, Teppo Hauta-aho, Steve Heather, Tristan Honsinger, Kalle Kalima, Achim Kaufmann, Veli Kujala, Jukka Kääriäinen, Okkyung Lee, Paul Lovens, Adam Pultz Melbye, Francesco Miccolis, Gianni Mimmo, Dag Magnus Narvesen, Heikki Nikula, Luca Pissavini, John Russell, Giancarlo Schiaffini, Günter Baby Sommer, Jone Takamäki, Janne Tuomi, Phil Wachsmann a.o.
Harri has been teaching saxophone since 1980 and is a vital member of the European contemporary improvised music scene; he has composed music for film and is still active today with his photography.
*portrait photo: Matthias Bothor