$20/$10 Students (Cash only at the door) To reserve seats e-mail info@gallery345.com

Matti Pulkki, accordion

Michael Bridge, accordion

Branko Džinović, accordion

Sara Constant, flute

John Nicholson, saxophone

Reflecting his recent experiences in Toronto, accordionist Matti Pulkki is presenting new prospects in the solo accordion repertoire composed in the North at both ends of the ocean. This concert is produced in collaboration with the prominent accordion studio of Joseph Macerollo and two emerging stars of classical and jazz woodwinds. The concert features two exciting premieres: a solo accordion piece by Montreal-based composer Gabriel Dufour-Laperrière and an accordion-saxophone duo by Sang Jun Lim from Toronto. The program will also have solo accordion works by Jukka Tiensuu, Tomi Räisänen, Petri Makkonen, Lothar Klein and Finnish folk songs newly arranged for flute and accordion by Matti Murto.

Matti Pulkki (b. 1991) became the newest member of professor Joseph Macerollo’s accordion studio at the University of Toronto after arriving in Canada in the fall of 2014. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and the highest grade in accordion performance from the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. Later in 2015, he will continue to pursue his Master’s degree back in Helsinki with professor Matti Rantanen.

Over the years Matti Pulkki has performed in many concerts internationally as a soloist and with different chamber ensembles. In his concert programs he’s known for creating dialogue and fusion with music from different backgrounds and styles. Matti Pulkki is interested in crossing the artificial boundaries between arts and artists and exploring the great blue ocean beyond his comfort zone.