Biography

Verneri Pohjola, a Finnish trumpeter and composer, is one of the most celebrated and acclaimed Jazz artists in Europe. He possesses a commanding and unique voice that showcases both warmth and vibrancy in his playing. His writing is bold and creative, with a unique ability to write immersive and powerful melodies that highlight his individuality and progressive style.

With a string of successful releases and critical acclaim, his talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, Jazzwise Magazine called his album, 'Bullhorn,' "one of the finest albums of recent times" and hailed him as a "fully-fledged star", shedding his 'star-in-the-making' mantle. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize nomination in 2021, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the Nordic music scene.

In 2017, Verneri was awarded Finland's highest recognition for a jazz musician, the Yrjö Award, for his exceptional musicianship and contribution to the jazz genre. This award is a testament to Verneri's dedication to his craft and his passion for creating innovative and meaningful music.

Verneri's Bullhorn record was a critical and commercial success, earning him the Emma Award for the best jazz album of the year in 2015. This album showcases Verneri's virtuosity as a trumpeter and his ability to seamlessly blend various genres and musical influences.

Born into a musical dynasty, Verneri was destined for a career in music. His grandfather and father's cousin were both active in music, while his father, Pekka Pohjola, achieved international fame in the 1970s. Verneri first came to prominence as leader of Ilmiliekki Quartet, a band that won numerous accolades, including the prestigious Teosto Award.

Verneri's distinctive tone is deeply affecting and marked by purity and lyricism. His melodic improvisation is matched by personal compositions that avoid any clichéd notions of Nordic jazz. He is a progressive artist with a strong grasp of popular culture and one of the most exciting and original artists of his generation.

In 2020, Verneri released 'The Dead Don't Dream,' an album that showcases his individualism, creativity, and coherence. This album is a true work of art, balancing freedom and composition, expression and voice. It's a defining work for Verneri, for Finnish culture, and a statement of intent for an artist immersed in the world of European Jazz.

In 2022, Verneri Pohjola formed a new quartet with renowned musicians Kit Downes on piano, Jasper Høiby on double bass, and Olavi Louhivuori on drums. The quartet's debut album ‘MONKEY MIND’, will be released on Edition Records in November 2023, serving as a testament to Verneri's versatility as a musician and his continued growth as a jazz star.

In addition to his own album, Verneri is also working on an exciting project with renowned composer Kaija Saariaho. She is composing a trumpet concerto specifically for Verneri, which is set to premiere in 2023. This collaboration highlights Verneri's exceptional talent and his ability to push the boundaries of jazz music.

Press quotes:

"Amid the frenzied searching and mysterious soundscapes we also encounter slow ballads and beautifully constructed themes, progressions and motifs showing just how well Verneri Pohjola has styled his craft and achieved a perfect balance between structure and freedom in his compositions...Alongside the likes of Tord Gustavsen, Lars Danielsson and Bobo Stenson, Pohjola continues to firmly establish himself as one of the pillars of modern Scandinavian jazz.” George Richardson on The Dead Don’t Dream in Sussex Jazz Magazine

“This is the sound of snowfields and big skies, of glistening details and slow change, and of survival. Its sheer beauty (most immediately expressed in Pohjola’s glorious trumpet tone) and approachability makes Animal Image easy to recommend to people who wouldn’t normally go for something as apparently austere as a series of free improvisations for trumpet and percussion.” Richard Williams, thebluemoment.com, Animal Image

“This is a beautifully executed, and quietly surprise-packed set: Pohjola’s pristine sound and wide range lead resourceful improvisations from a fine band.” John Fordham of The Guardian about ‘Bullhorn’

“Pohjola's sometimes lyrical, sometimes strident approach to his instrument combined with his talent for varied, strong and inventive writing makes for a hauntingly irresistible album.” All About Jazz, Bullhorn

"The whole remarkable venture combines memorable original themes with striking ensemble-writing for horns and strings, dramatic brass and percussion sounds, and a faintly disconsolate beauty that nonetheless avoids all the usual north-European, windswept-jazz cliches." John Fordham, The Guardian (UK), Aurora

"Certainly he draws on Finnish folkloric elements, but in a very personal way, mixing it with other influences, and these pieces in their totality ('Askisto' and 'Spirit of S' are album highlights) produce a vision of an artist whose exposure on the ACT label should bring long overdue (and deserved) recognition outside his homeland." Jazzwise (UK), Aurora

"A warm, tightly focussed album that is less epic in scope than its predecessor but one which is ultimately equally rewarding and which represents a valid artistic statement in its own right." Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann (UK), Ancient History