Värivarjo is a fierce and fragile folk-jazz duo formed of Finnish guitarist and mandolinist Joni Vierre and Cornish accordionist and pianist Tommie Black-Roff.
Their name, which translates as “Colour-Shadow” comes from the colourful rainbow parachutes used in games. Wonder and sensory saturation is the goal. They bridge the various worlds of jazz and folk, Nordic and Celtic, with intricate compositions and vivid improvisation.
“Colourful, personal and genre-expanding” Lira Magazine
“Wonderful – music that creates images in the listener’s mind, that demands careful listening” FolkWorld
Finnish musician and composer Joni Vierre plays guitar, mandolin, voice, and the West African kora. His work flows across genres and cultures, weaving together Irish folk, West African traditions, jazz, and popular music. Rather than fitting into a single genre, Joni approaches music as a composer—curious, collaborative, and globally inspired.
Tommie Black-Roff is an acclaimed musician and composer, specialising in folk music on the accordion. He grew up in a family of musicians in Cornwall and later made Finland his home. Performing on everything from traditional squeezeboxes to free-bass accordions and self-built instruments, he creates music that is both rooted and forward-looking. His playing is marked by invention, sensitivity and a strong connection to dance and movement.
Courage in Colour
Debut album out 28th February 2024 on Sleight Of Hand Records
Presenting Courage in Colour, a brave and delicate album of genre-defying instrumentals, recorded in a cow barn on the edge of Helsinki in the space of two short days. Behind this approach is the duo Värivarjo’s passion, celebrating rawness, responding in the moment and taking risks together.
Buy the album now on our Bandcamp online store
The debut album Courage in Colour features 10 tracks recorded live at the Kallio-Kuninkala studios. The material, co-written by Värivarjo, is closely interwoven with personal stories and memories. The first single Värivarjo is co-composed by the duo, two contrasting takes on the subject of sensory saturation. The second single Havaintoja lasipallosta (lit. Observations from a snowglobe) is a pandemic story by Joni, telling of a trapped child separated from human connection. Other tracks include Anker inspired by the stories of an old merchant fisherman from the Danish island of Fanø, or Piispanrannan valssi dedicated to the remote lakeside summer cottage where the duo assembled much of the material.
The debut also features Finnish-American trumpetist and vocalist Devina Boughton (Celenka, Shameless Shongololo, Kietoutumo) on two tracks: Sofias air where they enrich this powerful melody, and Sorina (lit. babble) which celebrates social gatherings and the beauty found within shades of silence. Värivarjo’s collaboration with Devina emerged from a mutual love of melodic and timbral exploration and a potent musical mix of structure and freedom. Meanwhile backstage they worked with legendary guitarist Jarmo Saari as producer and soundscape artist Mikko Haapoja as engineer. Welsh guitarist and composer Dylan Fowler mixed the album. ‘Courage in Colour’ is released on Sleight of Hand Records and available on CD and all major streaming platforms from 28th February 2024.
wonder and sensory saturation
Contact
To get in touch with Värivarjo email varivarjo *** gmail.com
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