Finnish saxophonist and composer Pekka Pylkkänen has worked with many orchestras and groups during his career, and as a sideman has also shared the stage with greats such as Vince Mendoza, Maria Schneider, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, Michael Abene, Odean Pope, and many others. During his earlier career he worked several years full-time with the ‘National Jazz Orchestra of Finland’ – UMO Jazz Orchestra, often featured as a soloist.

As a leader he has performed in more than 50 countries and has appeared as a leader/soloist in over 1000 concerts during the last 10 years, most of them outside Finland. His appearances range from clubs to concert halls and major festivals, such as Hong Kong Jazz Festival, Beijing Jazz Festival, Trondheim Jazz Festival, National Arts Festival (South Africa), Lima Jazz, Providencia Festival de Jazz (Santiago, Chile), Yokohama Jazz Promenade, Yarasum Jazz Festival, Beijing Concert Hall, The Spring Hall (Seoul/Korea), Daegu Cultural Center/Korea, La Pavillion Blanco (Cordoba, Argentina), Beijing Music Festival, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, etc. In addition to his long career as a performing artist, Pekka has led a significant career as an educator, too.

Pekka Pylkkänen has released 3 albums under his name so far and is now working on his next one to be issued this year. On his present tour he is playing in various European cities with local musicians. In Budapest he is teaming up with his long-time budy and fellow musician, the outstanding Hungarian drummer, Péter Szendőfi. With pianist Áron Romhányi and double bass player Tibor Fonay rounded up to a quartet they will perform mostly his own compositions, partially from his last album Listen! and some from the forthcoming as well. 

pekkasmusic.com 
soundcloud.com/pekka-pylkkanen