JOHANNA JUHOLA & OONA SINKKO

Johanna Juhola: accordion, compositions

Oona Sinkko: harmonium, compositions

The similarity in timbre between the two free-reed instruments and the interesting possibilities created by their differences led to the creation of this duo. The accordion and the harmonium, both getting their air from the moving and breathing bellows, sometimes sound like one big instrument. At times the instruments go their own ways, the accordion shimmering brightly, the harmonium softly atmospheric. The duo's music combines chamber music tones with a deep knowledge of folk music.

Johanna Juhola (b. 1978) has been hailed as an undisciplined innovator in the tango genre, a world music icon and a major reformist in the field of accordion music. Johannas highly original output and collaborative work with top names from the classical, jazz and even electronic music scene as well as with contemporary dance and circus artists has sealed her reputation as a groundbreaking and genre-transcending visionary. Johanna has created her own music style called fantasy tango and in 2022 she won the Nordic Composer’s award - the NPU Prize for her work as a composer.

Oona Sinkko (b.1999) is a pianist, harmonium player and composer with roots in Kaustinen. Folk music has always been part of her everyday life. She learned to play the pump organ in her youth within the folk musician community, which eventually led her to pursue professional studies in folk music at the Sibelius Academy. Oonas colourful and groovy playing style is influenced by jazz and pop music, without forgetting a strong knowledge of folk music. Composition is one of Oona's strengths – she composes and arranges music across genres. As a keyboard player, Oona is known for her involvement in the bands NOOLI, Johanna Juhola Reaktori, Katrillicrew, and Siba Folk Big Band.