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The Smallest Big Band In The World?
Let’s do the math. Don Johnson Big Band comes from a country populated by 5.5 million people. They’ve sold an amount of
records equivalent to roughly 2% of Finland’s population. Reflect upon that, because it’s kind of insane, especially considering
they make music in a foreign language. It’s like an English band rapping in rapid-fire French and selling a million and a half
records in the UK.
The insanity doesn’t end there. As far as biomass goes, they’re not big. There’s only four of them and they’re skinny little
bastards. Th ...read more
The Smallest Big Band In The World?
Let’s do the math. Don Johnson Big Band comes from a country populated by 5.5 million people. They’ve sold an amount of
records equivalent to roughly 2% of Finland’s population. Reflect upon that, because it’s kind of insane, especially considering
they make music in a foreign language. It’s like an English band rapping in rapid-fire French and selling a million and a half
records in the UK.
The insanity doesn’t end there. As far as biomass goes, they’re not big. There’s only four of them and they’re skinny little
bastards. Their connection with Don Johnson is tenuous, to say the least. Yes, there was a visit to a movie set in Canada
that one time, but that’s another story.
Selling CDs out of the trunk of a car before making it big is a mainstay of hip hop mythology. In 2000, Don Johnson Big Band
took public transportation and sold CDs out of their backpacks. Eventually, the backpack morphed into Sony Music and The
Little Album that Could, “Support de Microphones”, sold 20,000.
GOLD, PLATINUM, EPIC
Since then, the band has undertaken an epic amount of plundering and pillaging in genres hot and not around the world. After
being signed to Universal Music in 2003, the band’s second album “Breaking Daylight” went platinum, and the self-titled third
one gold. The lead-off single “L.L.H.” from their fourth LP “Records Are Forever” featured a groundbreaking 2009 music video
with renowned contemporary dancer Tero Saarinen – awarded with runner-up prizes at both the Oulu Music Video Festival
and the Finnish Music Video Awards.
Don Johnson Big Band have been a major concert draw on the club circuit and the biggest summer festivals for more than a
decade. Their popularity has been remarkably steady, existing outside the album-tour grind. They’ve taken their show to
stages in Germany, France, Netherlands, Russia, as well as the biggest festivals in both Japan and China. They’ve also
warmed up in Europe for the likes of Kanye West, James Brown (R.I.P.), George Clinton, Jamiroquai, and Roxy Music.
All this in a little over a decade of never scripting anything and trusting themselves to do what felt right. Along the way,
they’ve managed to become a true crossover, cross-generational, cross-cultural favorite.
THEY’RE BACK!
In 2012, the band is set to return with a bang after an almost two-year hiatus, with their new worldwide partner Live Nation.
The fifth album “Fiesta” is yet another reminder of the band’s versatility. Musically and emotionally upbeat, this is likely the
happiest Don Johnson Big Band album to date. And that’s saying a lot for a band with the reputation of a bunch of fearless
fun junkies in a world of endless musical experimentation.
“Fiesta” also features a host of fresh collaborations with friends both old and new, from a world renowned classical violinist to
one of the most talented young beatboxers on the planet.
So get ready. Because regardless of where you are in the world, it’s midnight. And the party’s just getting started.
***
Tommy Lindgren (vocals)
Johannes Laiho (keyboards)
Kari Saarilahti (drums, guitars, bass)
Pekka Mikkonen (sax, flute) « hide |
Contributors: qwenty,
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