ANTTI SARPILA (clarinet & saxophones)

Antti Sarpila (born 1964) is one of the few internationally known jazz musicians from Finland. Although based in Helsinki, he performs extensively as a solo artist all over the world.

Antti Sarpila has been a student of the world famous American clarinet and saxophone player Bob Wilber during the 1980's. Wilber himself was a student of legendary Sidney Bechet in the 1940's. This legacy is the reason for Sarpila's dedication and respect to the tradition of jazz. He wants to combine the influences captured from the early masters (from Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker) with his own personal style to create what would be best described as "classic jazz".The continuing association between Antti and Bob has reaped many rewards. One of the highlights was in 1988, when Antti was asked to join Bob in doing a "Tribute to Benny Goodman" concert in Carnegie Hall, New York. In 2000 Antti renewed his visit to this legendary concert hall with the Swedish vibraphone player Lars Erstrand.

During his career, Antti has performed on numerous jazz festivals and concerts all over Europe, USA, Asia and as far as in Australia. Despite his relatively young age he has had the honour to play with such giants as Doc Cheatham, Wild Bill Davison, Buddy DeFranco, Vic Dickenson, Panama Francis, Bob Haggart, Scott Hamilton, Jake Hanna, John Henrics, Milt Hinton, Peanuts Hucko, Thad Jones, Dave McKenna, Bucky Pizzarelli, Marshal Royal, Zoot Sims, Dick Wellstood, Frank Wess, Trummy Young ... and to guest world famous orchestras as Count Basie Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, Dutch Swing College Band.

In Finland Antti Sarpila has his own group - the Antti Sarpila Swing Band, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2007. In the fall it has already become a tradition for Antti Sarpila Swing Band to go on tour bringing "Swinging Christmas" to every corner of Finland. In addition, he performs regularly as a solo artist with small groups, big bands as well as symphony orchestras. Finnish jazz federation has awarded Antti Sarpila with annual "George" award 1997 and Classic Jazz Society with the "Louis Armstrong" award 1996.

Antti Sarpila has made numerous recordings under his own name, the latest one being "Gospel & Spirituals" (ASCD-29). Antti Sarpila has done six recordings with Wilber, in New York, Stockholm, London, Bern (with Byron Stripling, John Allred, Mark Shane, Phil Flanigan, Joe Ascione), Hamburg and Florida (with Dick Hyman, Dan Barrett, Peter Appleyard, Ed Metz Jr.). In Hamburg he has also recorded six times with top American jazz musicians (incl. Ralph Sutton, Jack Lesberg, Bill Allred, Oliver Jackson, Butch Miles, Harry Allen, Jon-Erik Kellso, Randy Sandke, Ken Peplowski, Allan Vache). In Sweden he's been featured on several recordings (incl. Swedish Swing Society live in New York, Swedish Jazz Salutes USA live at Carnegie Hall). His contribution as a skilled jazz artist has also been featured on about 100 different recordings.

Hans Westerberg has written a Antti Sarpila bio-/discography - "The Swinging Beginning" giving information about all recordings as well as all known broadcasts and telecasts between 1980 and 1998. Included in the book is a cd, compiled from the essential recordings during Antti Sarpila's early career.

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