Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music
Line-up:
Olli Soikkeli – Guitar
Eleazar Ruiz – Double Bass
Steve Brown – Drums
About
“Olli Soikkeli, a riveting Finnish guitarist who combines astonishing dexterity and speed with pure soul in a way that places him among the worthiest current day successors to the legacy of the great Django.” Wall Street Journal
Olli Soikkeli was born in Nurmes, Finland in 1991. Now based in New York City, Olli started playing guitar at age of 12. A short time later Olli was introduced to the music of the great Django Reinhardt, which struck a chord with him. Gypsy jazz has since been Olli’s main focus. After touring around Europe with musicians such as Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud Van Den Berg, Olli decided to move to New York City in 2014. Right away he became the top call guitarist for gypsy jazz in New York City, playing legendary venues such as Town Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note and Lincoln Center. Moreover, his collaboration with violinist Jason Anickwith Rhythm Future Quartet has made him an international star in the world of Gypsy Jazz.
In 2011 Olli recorded his first album “Trois Générations” with Hot Club de Finlande and Vitali Imereli and in 2012 he recorded his second album “Kouvola Junction” with Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud van den Berg. Despite Olli’s young age he’s already played with stars such as Bucky Pizzarelli, StocheloRosenberg, Tommy Emmanuel, Andreas Öberg, Cyrille Aimee, Anat Cohen, Antti Sarpila and Marian Petrescu. 2014 Rhythm Future Quartet’s debut album was released. 2016 Rhythm Future Quartet’s second album ‘Travels’ was released which received rave reviews including Best albums of 2016 by Huffington Post and All About Jazz magazines. The Fall of 2018 marked the release of “Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends”, which features the critically acclaimed singer Cyrille Aimée, brazil’s top bandolimist Hamilton de Holanda, and guitarist StocheloRosenberg.
Since the release of “Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends” Olli has been exploring musically, including a tour and record with virtuous accordionist Julien Labro. Olli started a duo project with New York based Brazilian 7-string guitarist Cesar Garabini playing mostly Brazilian Choro music. Early 2019 Olli recorded with Grammy award winning pianist Marian Petrescu. Summer 2022 Olli will release his 10th studio album “Olli Soikkeli Quartet feat. Marian Petrescu.”