Making her debut at Christmas Jazz, Britta Virves, a talented Estonian pianist and composer based in Sweden, graced the stage at KUMU alongside bassist Petter Olofsson and drummer Jonas Bäckman. Together, they presented their latest album, ‘Juniper.’ This captivating album weaves together influences from around the world, spanning from Sweden to France, all while drawing inspiration from the memories of junipers on her home island, Saaremaa.
Britta Virves is a well-known jazz musician, giving concerts across Europe. Her captivating performances have earned her recognition in the jazz community. Her acclaim is evident through nominations, such as for Jazz Album of the Year at the Estonian Music Awards (2023) and Best Jazz Album at the Swedish Grammis Awards (2023). Notably, she secured victory at the Swedish Jazz Club Fasching Society Award in 2020.
Returning to Estonia with her latest album, ‘Juniper,’ which marks her first solo release in 2022, Britta Virves received a warm reception from the audience at KUMU. Acknowledging the presence of friends and family in the crowd, she playfully remarked on the heightened pressure, jokingly pledging to showcase her best performance.
The concert kicked off with Britta’s composition ‘Downtown’, inspired by the British historical drama TV series Downton Abbey. Following that, the band performed ‘Rush Hour’, a piece of music reflecting Britta’s daily life in Stockholm. She shared that it took her years to adapt to the city’s rhythm, particularly the subway. The next track, ‘Enigma’, portrayed the beauty and variety of snowflakes through persistent rhythms. Bassist Petter Olofsson and drummer Jonas Bäckman skillfully highlighted the intensity of snowflakes falling to Earth. It’s a lovely track, especially fitting for snowy days like these.
Britta and her band serve as a reminder that beauty is all around us, especially in the sky – powerful, boundless, and serene. ‘Starry Night’ focused on the sky, brimming with stars, and somewhere in that vast sky lies the beautiful planet Mars. ‘Ingenuity’ drew inspiration from the helicopter that touched down on Mars a few years ago. Much like Ingenuity, Britta is exploring and expressing her musical side. ‘Saaremaa’ was a heartfelt composition written by Britta during the COVID period when she couldn’t meet her family for 1.5 years. This track captures the emotions one experiences when separated from family. Certainly, the most emotionally moving musical piece of the evening was one of the last compositions. This track was a heartfelt dedication to Britta’s mother, serving as a beautiful musical expression of a daughter’s love.
Whether strolling through the streets of Paris, sitting in Stockholm’s subway, gazing at a star-filled sky, or catching snowflakes on a cold winter day, our thoughts often lead us back to our roots. No matter how far we wander, there’s a constant pull that brings us back to what feels like home.
Britta Virves Trio ‘’Juniper’’
2nd of December 2023, 5:30 pm at KUMU auditorium
The band:
Britta Virves – piano
Petter Olofsson – bass
Jonas Bäckman – drums