Finnish music stars born in 1945

Here are 5 famous musicians from Finland were born in 1945:

Edward Vesala

Edward Vesala (February 15, 1945 Mäntyharju-April 12, 1999 Helsinki) also known as Edward Vesala - Sound and Fury or Vesala, Edward was a Finnish , .

Discography: , Nan Madol, Satu, Invisible Storm, Ode to the Death of Jazz, Lumi, Mau-Mau, , Lill' Lisa and . Genres he performed include Jazz.

Edward Vesala was not only a jazz musician, but also a composer and a percussionist. He started his music career in the late 1960s as a member of the jazz band Eero Koivistoinen Quartet. Throughout his career, Vesala collaborated with a variety of musicians and groups, including the Finnish National Opera, the Tapiola Sinfonietta, and the Nordic Jazz Quintet.

In addition, Vesala was a highly regarded teacher of improvisational music. He taught at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and provided workshops throughout Europe. He also wrote several books on music theory and improvisation.

Vesala's compositions are characterized by their innovative use of percussion, featuring a variety of traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments. His music is known for its unique blend of jazz with elements of rock, folk and contemporary classical music.

Vesala was highly acclaimed in Finland and internationally, winning several awards for his work. He passed away in 1999 at the age of 54, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential Finnish jazz musicians of all time.

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Matti Salminen

Matti Salminen (July 7, 1945 Turku-) also known as Salminen, Matti is a Finnish opera singer.

His albums: 20 suosikkia: Rantakoivun alla, Aho: Symphony no. 3 / Mussorgsky/Aho: Songs & Dances of Death, Kullervo and Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244 (Münchener Bach-Chor, Münchener Bach-Orchester feat. conductor: Karl Richter).

Matti Salminen is renowned for his powerful bass voice and has performed in numerous productions at the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera. He is particularly well-known for his interpretation of the role of Hagen in Richard Wagner's "Götterdämmerung." Salminen has also appeared in several films, including Aki Kaurismäki's "La Vie de Bohème" and the Finnish-Estonian production "Tulipunainen kyyhkynen." In addition to his musical career, Salminen is also an accomplished painter and has exhibited his works in galleries throughout Finland.

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Vesa-Matti Loiri

Vesa-Matti Loiri (January 4, 1945 Helsinki-) also known as Vesku, Matti Loiri, Vesku Loiri, Loiri, Tyyne or Vesa-Matti "Vesku" Loiri is a Finnish singer, musician, actor and screenwriter. His children are Joonas Loiri, , , and .

Related albums: Voi hyvä tavaton, Nauravan kulkurin paluu, Naurava kulkuri, 12 kauneinta laulua, , Skarabee, Kasari, Ihmisen määrä: Lauluja Uuno Kailaan runoihin, and .

Vesa-Matti Loiri began his career as a musician in the 1960s when he played saxophone in various bands. He later became the lead singer of the popular Finnish band, Agents, in the 1970s. His first solo album, "4+20," was released in 1971 and he has since released numerous albums, many of which have achieved gold or platinum status in Finland.

Besides his successful music career, Loiri is also a well-known actor and has appeared in over 30 films and TV shows. He first gained popularity acting in films based on the works of Finnish author, Arto Paasilinna, such as "Jäniksen vuosi" and "Hirttämättömät." He is also known for his portrayal of the character Uuno Turhapuro in several films.

In addition to acting, Loiri has also written screenplays and composed music for various films. He won the Jussi Award for Best Original Score for the film "Kahdeksan Surmanluotia" in 1972.

Throughout his career, Loiri has been recognized for his contributions to Finnish culture and received several awards, including the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1995 and the Eino Leino Prize in 2004. He continues to perform and make music to this day.

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Katri Helena

Katri Helena (August 17, 1945 Tohmajärvi-) also known as Katri Helena Kalaoja, Katri-Helena or Katri Helena Koistinen is a Finnish singer. Her children are called Juha Kalaoja, and .

Her albums: 20 suosikkia: Syysunelma, Anna mulle tähtitaivas, Tulet aina olemaan, Lähemmäksi, , , , , Paloma Blanca and .

Katri Helena started her music career in the 1960s and recorded her first album "Kultaiset korvarenkaat" in 1963. She became a popular singer in Finland and represented the country in the Eurovision Song Contest three times - in 1979, 1993 and 1999. Throughout her career, Katri Helena has released dozens of albums and singles, and her music style ranges from pop and rock to schlager and tango. She has also won several awards, including the Emma Award for Best Female Pop/Rock Artist in 1987 and 1988. Katri Helena is known for her powerful voice and emotional ballads, as well as her charitable work for children's causes. She is considered one of the most successful and beloved musicians in Finland.

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Kari Tapio

Kari Tapio (November 22, 1945 Suonenjoki-December 7, 2010 Espoo) also known as Kari Jalkanen was a Finnish singer. He had three children, , Jiri Jalkanen and Jack Jalkanen.

His albums include Meren kuisketta, 20 suosikkia: Olen suomalainen, Paalupaikka, Laulaja, Konserttilavalla, Kuin taivaisiin, Kaikki parhaat, , and .

Kari Tapio was widely regarded as one of the most popular and successful Finnish singers of his time. He started his career in the late 1960s and released his debut album "Kari Tapio" in 1972. His breakthrough came in the early 1980s with the album "Kuin taivaisiin" which included the hit single "Olen suomalainen" (I am Finnish). The song became an unofficial national anthem of Finland and helped establish Kari Tapio as a beloved national icon.

Over the course of his career, Kari Tapio released over 20 albums and won numerous awards including four Emma awards (the Finnish equivalent of the Grammy awards). He was known for his deep and powerful voice, which he used to great effect in his emotionally charged ballads and upbeat rock songs. He was also a popular live performer, and his concerts were famous for their energetic and enthusiastic crowds.

Kari Tapio passed away on December 7, 2010, at the age of 65. He is remembered as one of the greatest Finnish singers of all time and his music continues to be beloved by audiences across Finland and beyond.

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