Maria Kalaniemi

Who is Maria Kalaniemi?

Maria Kalaniemi is a Finnish accordionist. She was originally classically trained, but has become mostly as folk musician having played this music from childhood, besides her classical music studies, and also at the folk music department of the Sibelius Academy.

Groups she is or has been involved with are:

Niekku, formed during the years at the Sibelius Academy: Before they disbanded, they recorded three albums.

Aldargaz, also formed at the Sibelius Academy including fiddler Arto Järvelä, pianist Timo Alakotila, mandolinist Petri Hakala, guitarist Olli Varis and Tapani Varis. The group made their last recording in 1999.

A duo consisting of her and Timo Alakotila, that recorded the album Ambra.

Maria Kalaniemi Trio, extending the duo with Olli Varis. Both the duo and the trio plays traditional tunes, popular Finnish tunes from about mid 20th century as well as new material by Kalaniemi and Alakotila. The trio released a live CD recorded in Tokyo, Tokyo concert, that partly contains the same tunes as the duos Ambra.