Siba Talks: Keval Shah & Verneri Pohjola
In the November edition of Siba Talks, the guest is Verneri Pohjola, one of Europe’s most acclaimed jazz artists.
About the artists
Verneri Pohjola
Verneri Pohjola is one of Europe’s most acclaimed jazz artists, known for his distinctive voice as a trumpeter and composer. His playing combines warmth, clarity, and intensity, while his compositions stand out for their boldness, strong melodies, and progressive, personal style.
He has received widespread critical recognition throughout his career. His album Bullhorn was highly praised, with Jazzwise calling it one of the finest albums of its time, and it earned him an Emma Award in 2015. Pohjola has also been honored with the prestigious Yrjö Award and was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2021.
Coming from a musical family, Pohjola first gained prominence with Ilmiliekki Quartet, an award-winning group. His sound is marked by lyrical purity and expressive improvisation, avoiding clichés and redefining the scope of Nordic jazz.
In recent years, he has continued to evolve artistically with releases like The Dead Don’t Dream, the formation of a new international quartet, and collaborations such as a trumpet concerto written for him by composer Kaija Saariaho—further establishing him as one of the most innovative jazz musicians of his generation.
Keval Shah
British-Indian pianist Keval Shah (b. 1993) is celebrated for the intellectual and creative depth of his artistic vision. A laureate of multiple international competitions, Shah has performed at many of Europe’s major concert halls and festivals, and has recorded for labels including Deutsche Grammophon.
Alongside successes in the traditional field, Keval is a pioneer in concert design and curation, regularly commissioning contemporary music and building artistic projects that mix different genres, cultures, and philosophies. His musical practice is guided by a fascination with cross-cultural and multi-cultural processes, and the artistic and social possibilities which can be found therein.
Alongside his work at the Sibelius Academy, Keval frequently works as a broadcaster at the BBC, most recently presenting a documentary about Kaija Saariaho’s final projects.
Changes are possible.
Further information: Janne Ikäheimo, janne.ikaheimo@uniarts.fi
About the artists
Verneri Pohjola
Verneri Pohjola is one of Europe’s most acclaimed jazz artists, known for his distinctive voice as a trumpeter and composer. His playing combines warmth, clarity, and intensity, while his compositions stand out for their boldness, strong melodies, and progressive, personal style.
He has received widespread critical recognition throughout his career. His album Bullhorn was highly praised, with Jazzwise calling it one of the finest albums of its time, and it earned him an Emma Award in 2015. Pohjola has also been honored with the prestigious Yrjö Award and was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2021.
Coming from a musical family, Pohjola first gained prominence with Ilmiliekki Quartet, an award-winning group. His sound is marked by lyrical purity and expressive improvisation, avoiding clichés and redefining the scope of Nordic jazz.
In recent years, he has continued to evolve artistically with releases like The Dead Don’t Dream, the formation of a new international quartet, and collaborations such as a trumpet concerto written for him by composer Kaija Saariaho—further establishing him as one of the most innovative jazz musicians of his generation.
Keval Shah
British-Indian pianist Keval Shah (b. 1993) is celebrated for the intellectual and creative depth of his artistic vision. A laureate of multiple international competitions, Shah has performed at many of Europe’s major concert halls and festivals, and has recorded for labels including Deutsche Grammophon.
Alongside successes in the traditional field, Keval is a pioneer in concert design and curation, regularly commissioning contemporary music and building artistic projects that mix different genres, cultures, and philosophies. His musical practice is guided by a fascination with cross-cultural and multi-cultural processes, and the artistic and social possibilities which can be found therein.
Alongside his work at the Sibelius Academy, Keval frequently works as a broadcaster at the BBC, most recently presenting a documentary about Kaija Saariaho’s final projects.
Changes are possible.
Further information: Janne Ikäheimo, janne.ikaheimo@uniarts.fi