Varre Vartiainen with Mike Stern – Head And Heart LP

Varre Vartiainen with Mike Stern – Head And Heart 

Varre Vartiainen and jazz guitar legend Mike Stern join forces on an album called 'Head & Heart', which Eclipse Music will release in April 2025. The title single will be released on 21st of March.

Leaning towards 70’s fusion jazz, the album’s music is mostly composed by Vartiainen, but Stern adds his creative touch. One can expect masterful guitar playing from both artists. Two singles, “Miked Up!” And “Bill From Sao Paolo” have been released. Head & Heart is a continuation to Vartiainen’s critically acclaimed solo album Almost Standards.

Mike Stern (b. 1953) hardly needs an introduction. Hailed as one of the greatest jazz guitarists in the world by Downbeat magazine, his awe-inspiring career has included playing in the groups of Miles Davis and Billy Gobham as well as with Blood, Sweat & Tears. He has also collaborated with the likes of the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead and David Sanborn. During his career Stern has received six Grammy nominations, the Orville W. Gibson award in 1997, as well as the ‘Guitarist of the Year’-title in 1993.

Varre Vartiainen plays jazz guitar with a rock attitude, and he is one of the most accomplished guitarists in Finland. He founded his band, ‘Husband’ in 2000 with Anssi Nykänen and Harri Rantanen, later joined by Marzi Lyman. The group has toured successfully for 20 years and recorded four albums.

Vartiainen has also performed with several international stars, such as Angelique Kidjo, Thomas Ledin, Ed Motta and Jim Beard, as well as in several high-profile orchestras such as Espoo Big Band, UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, Dallape, Nylon Beat and Leningrad Cowboys. Vartiainen, who is preparing for his doctoral degree at the Sibelius Academy, has also become known as the conductor-guitarist of many TV shows such as The David Hasselhoff Show, Idols and Plan Galas. Vartiainen has also distinguished himself in the field of theater: in the fall of 2020, the acclaimed rock musical Hamlet, which Vartiainen composed together with Eeva Konnu and Jarmo Saari, had its premiere at the Tampere Workers' Theater.

Tracklist:
1. Miked Up!
2. Hardly
3. Head and Heart
4. Dark Size Life
5. Waltz for Roni
6. Bill From Sao Paolo
7. For Mike
8. Blue Velvet St.
9. Fat Time Blues
10. Mood Swings

Label: Eclipse Music
Released: 2025