Heikki Ruokangas’ new trio album blends lyrical melodies with atonal improvisation and Finnish folk music

Heikki Ruokangas’ new trio album I Do Believe There Is A Ghost In My Pipe with drummer Teemu Mustonen and double bassist Eero Tikkanen draws inspiration from the world of ghosts and the unseen. The cover artwork by American painter Jim Kopp further shaped the album's atmosphere and artistic direction.

Blending lyrical melodies with fearless atonal improvisation, the trio moves fluidly between structure and freedom. Together they dissolve conventional notions of time, rhythm, and harmony, creating a distinctive musical language that fuses contemporary jazz with subtle influences from Finnish folk music.

Heikki Ruokangas is an innovative guitarist, composer and improviser from Finland. His music is a dialogue between melody and noise, shifting from soothing and sensitive moments to violent avant-garde expression, to distinct melodies and atonal motifs. Ruokangas draws his inspiration from avant-garde, contemporary, and traditional jazz as well as from his native Finnish musical heritage and traditions. He's performed in the United States and throughout Europe and has released over 20 collaborative and solo recordings. 

Teemu Mustonen is a Finnish drummer, improviser, and composer whose playing is rooted in collective interaction and creative spontaneity. Active in a wide range of contemporary jazz projects, he is known for his dynamic touch, rich sonic palette, and ability to move seamlessly between subtle textures and energetic improvisation.

Eero Tikkanen is one of Finland's leading double bassists, known for his work in contemporary jazz, free improvisation, and Nordic folk-inspired music. A founding member of the acclaimed trio Mopo, he has collaborated widely across the Finnish jazz scene, developing a distinctive voice that combines melodic lyricism, rhythmic depth, and adventurous improvisation.

Releasing August 7 on limited edition CD and digital DL.

https://ramblerecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-do-believe-there-is-a-ghost-in-my-pipe-2