Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble, fusing together afrobeat, jazz funk and the traditional Beninese Vodou rhythms, is one of the few Finnish organic rhythm music acts clearly focused on the international scene. The fact is that in 2021 they had already performed in 17 different countries on several continents in less than ten years. The band, mutually led by composer and guitarist Janne Halonen and Beninese percussionist and singer Noël Saïzonou, was born from the cross-cultural cooperation and has been built around and based on that.
Everything started from the obsession Janne Halonen had for guitarist Lionel Louekea, known of playing in the band of legendary Herbie Hancock, and for his interpretation of music. As he originated from Benin, Halonen wanted to get there in order to pull aside the veil of secrecy.
After applying for scholarship he was accepted to spend several weeks in the artist residency of Villa Karo in Benin in 2019 to study the local voodoo rhythm traditions. When he got there, he asked around who was the best guide and teacher for this. Everyone pointed out to the man, who was about to come another key character in his upcoming band and a close friend as well. During the next following years, Noël Saïzonou visited Finland multiple times and shared a lot of knowledge, especially on songwriting.
In 2012, it was time for Janne Halonen to get back to Benin, this time together with the drummer and bassist of the original quartet they had formed. Now the concept truly developed forward, and the band also recorded their debut album Beaucoup De Piment! there, released in 2013. Thus, Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble has expanded into a lineup of eight or sometimes even nine musicians, including drummer Juha Räsänen, bassist Sampo Riskilä, keyboard player Visa Oscar, trumpetist Mikko Pettinen, saxophonist Joakim Berghäll (Astro Can Caravan, Auteur Jazz) and percussionist Kasheshi Makena. Besides them, at least the Tanzanian-born percussionist and singer Menard Mponda has played with them on live occasions.
Today they have already released five respected studio albums and a live album. The second effort Fire, Sweat & Pastis was awarded as the folk music album of 2014 in Finland. The latest self-titled album Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble was issued by the German Flowfish Records in 2021. One of the artists featuring is the Zimbabwean rap artist Synik, and you can clearly hear these soul and hip hop influences on the tracks.
With the focused determination, Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble has created a successful international music career, where the very limited Finnish audience plays only a small supporting role. However, they have also been performing on many of the most important Finnish music festivals of the scene from the Funky Elephant to bigger festivals, such as Pori Jazz and Ilosaarirock.
Abroad they have been taking the stage for example at the famous Sziget Festival in Budapest, Montreal Jazz Festival as well as in the professional worldwide music expo Womex’21, where the band has been particularly active in order to build their international prominence. Running a band residing in two different continents was one of the biggest challenges in the start, but they have been able to turn it into their strength after Halonen, Räsänen and Riskilä formed a co-operative named No Problem Music! around the band.
Text: Joonas Kervinen / Funky Finland
Main photo: Sami Mannerheimo
2nd photo: Maarit Kytöharju
