The
Return of the Sillanpää Family We are looking forward to a visit to our area in June by one of our favorite musical groups from Finland, The Sillanpää Family. We first heard this very talented trio, led by Seppo Sillanpää, in 1995, when the two singing and fiddling daughters, Jemina and Selina, were only 13 and 11 years old. In 1997 and 1999, they returned for concert tours in the Finger Lakes area and New England, with a West Coast tour in 2000. In 1981, Seppo first traveled to the U.S. and performed at the Finger Lakes Finns Fall Festival, in Newfield. Back home in Lahti, Finland, the family has been steadily developing their professional, educational, and musical endeavors. The Sillanpää Family first started performing as a folk trio in 1995, with two CDs, produced of Seppo’s original children’s songs. Next, a repertoire was developed of traditional Finnish, Irish, and American folk music. This all came together in 1999, with their Moon Madness CD. In 2003, their six piece acoustic group, Band’o, produced a CD.
Presently, Selina, age 21, studies singing, acting, dancing, and fiddling, in Lahti, at the local theater music college. Jemina, age 23, studies in Helsinki at the National Theater Academy. Seppo has been working full time at Lahden Radio, for 21 years, in music, web design, and journalism. He has played fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo professionally, since 1970, and has released two CDs. Wife and mother, Aija Sillanpää, keeps the group together and acts as art director and photographer for the group. Band'O and Sillanpää Family Web Site
|
