Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen gave the USA Premiere of “Accordion Wrestling” in his first New York appearance with Helsinki Nelson.  Presenting two shows on August 3rd and 4th, more than 1,000 people packed each show at the Lincoln Center Damrosch Park Stage, ranging from the Finnish Consulate General to curious attendees who were lured by press reports and the intrigue of what the combination of wrestling and the accordion might provide. Attending were Accordion USA News editor Rita Davidson and AAA Newsletter Editor Kevin Friedrich who were reporting for their publications.

“Accordion Wrestling” was originally created for the Turku Cltural Capital of Europe Program in 2011. The event is sponsored by SofTrek Corporation and made possible in part by the Consulate General of Finland, The Foundation for the Promotion of Finnish Music (LUSES), The Finnish Performing Music Promotion Centre ESEK, Finn Spark, Inc. and Finlandia Foundation National.

Kimmo Pohjonen, a Finnish accordionist, is a highly respected “accordion adventurer” who is renowned for composing and performing accordion music in revolutionary new ways. He has recorded and performed with many projects and groups worldwide plus has composed music for films, dance and theatre.

Pohjonen has released eight albums, the latest of which is Uniko with Samuli Kosminen and Kronos Quartet, released February 2011.The previous album was 2008’s Quiver by the trio KTU, featuring Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn (King Crimson). His Earth Machine Music project, featuring live collaboration with farmers and their machines, toured UK and Australia.

Pohjonen also performs in the trio K Cube with Finnish drummer Sami Kuoppamäki and guitarist Timo Kämäräinen. Pohjonen and French drummer Eric Echampard perform as a 100% improvisational duo. Pohjonen also performs with Kluster featuring sampling maestros Juuso Hannukainen or Samuli Kosminen.

His most recent project, “Accordion Wrestling” takes place with ten Finnish wrestlers and the Iron Lung project with visual artist / conceptualist Ville Walo.  Kimmo describes “Accordion Wrestling” as music, sport, dance, theatre and performance art revival of wrestling and accordion tradition from the 1920s-1960s.

“Accordion Wrestling” toured Finland in 2010, Hamburg in 2011 and to UK, Amsterdam and NYC in 2012. The choreographer is Ari Numminen. Kimmo Pohjonen’s solo show continues to tour regularly. In 2012 Pohjonen took the show to New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore.