Artists and programme

Juhan Uppin is the most versatile Estonian accordion (lõõtspill) player, whose music is on the one hand deeply rooted in the tradition, and on the other hand testing the boundaries of the modern world.
Being a self-taught musician, Juhan Uppin has created his own individual style and a novel way of playing which has become a role model for many new accordion players. Uppin is also expert in the playing style of Karl Kikkas, the greatest Estonian accordion player of 20th century, and has developed and fused it with his own distinct way of playing. Juhan’s music is characterized by his fine sense of style, skillful variations, nuanced technique and soulful playing.
Juhan Uppin has also took on the mantle of another grand old man, Aksel Tähnas from Järvselja who is a player and maker of an instrument called päkarauakannel. Uppin is often playing that unique instrument at his solo concerts as well and showing that it’s playing techniques are actually not so different from those of Estonian accordion.
At this year’s festival, Juhan Uppin is presenting his new solo album “Pikk lugu” (“Long story”) which reflects upon a pretty long period of Uppin’s journey as a musician, expressing vividly his versatility and contemporary style that’s rooted in tradition.