Skaidi heads out on Japanese tour

With appearances at innumerable domestic and international venues over the last years, 2010 starts out just as busy for Skaidi. In addition to the Japan tour the duo sets out to a much-anticipated showcase at the ‘Spotlight on Norway’ event during Showcase Scotland in late January and to Bebel Med in March.

Japanese tour
Jan 19 "Tsuki-Miru Kimi Omou" Tokyo, Ikue Asazaki as Japanese support act
Jan 20 "Tsuki-Miru Kimi Omou" Tokyo, support act TBA
Jan 21 "Hinoki Charity Concert Hall"
Jan 22 "Gallery Hyakugin" in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture
Jan 23 "Yamano-Ie" in Madarao, Nagano Prefecture (two gigs)

About Skaidi
Jazz bassist Steinar Raknes and traditional yoiker Inga Juuso have created music that calms the icy plateau wind and makes the dark winter months seem snug and beautiful. In the duo Skaidi, Steinar Raknes and Inga Juuso tear jazz and yoik from their respective traditions and create a new, unrefined expression that transcends both traditions. For ten years these two artists have performed together in various ensembles, they have reciprocally influenced each other and developed a unique musical energy and communicative ability. The result is a distinctive musical landscape in which yoik and bass share equal pride of place.

Biography
Inga Juuso (1946-) is known for her raw, direct presence and enthralling voice. She is one of Scandinavia’s leading yoikers and uses a self-taught traditional technique that has made her a sought-after artist the world over. Today she works as a regional yoiker in the Northern Norwegian county of Troms, and is unique in being the only full-time professional yoiker in the world. She has collaborated on several CD recordings and is also an experienced actor. ‘Yoik doesn’t only belong on mountain tops and in exotic places’, Inga states, and through her entire career, she has striven to develop and renew Sami musical tradition by experimenting with other musical genres.

Steinar Raknes (1975-) is one of Norway’s foremost jazz bassists and songwriters. With his fearless and explosive playing style, he is often compared with the legendary bassist and songwriter Charles Mingus. Many know Raknes through his work as composer and musician in the award-winning jazz trio Urban Connection, and for collaborations with artists such as Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Bobby McFerrin and Per Texas Johansson. After completing a Master of Arts (music) degree in jazz at NTNU in 2001, he has collaborated in a number of ensembles, including The Core, the Ola Kvernberg Trio and the Kirsti Huke Quartet and toured all over the