Veli Kujala

Concert accordionist, Composer, Improviser

  • Veli Kujala is the archetype of a modern musician, skillfully incorporating composition, improvisation, and boundary-crossing into his artistry.
    Mats Liljeroos · Hufvudstadsbladet
  • And a tip of the hat to the on-stage accordionist Veli Kujala for a standout cameo in Hamlet’s scene with the Players.
    David Wolfson · Bachtrack — The Metropolitan Opera’s Hamlet
  • Kujala proved to be adept at all styles and made the accordion a more sophisticated instrument.
    Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  • Accordionist Veli Kujala’s debut concert at the Sibelius Academy delivered precisely what one would anticipate from a debut concert: exceptional musicianship, exquisite compositions, and an engaging program.
    Samuli Tiikkaja · Helsingin Sanomat
  • Kujala’s bravura performance with an accordion capable of quarter tones in Mononen’s Satumaa added a thrill of off-key chaos.
    Music OMH — Tango Prom 70, BBC Proms
  • The entirety is convincing and represents the latest and most intriguing music of today… Veli Kujala’s music vibrates with startling freshness and irresistible originality.
    Ville Komppa · YLE Radio 1
  • Props must be given to accordionist Veli Kujala who musically carried an entire scene on his own.
    David Salazar · Operawire — The Metropolitan Opera’s Hamlet
  • Listening to the exceptional Veli Kujala on the accordion is an immense pleasure every time.
    Médéric Collignon · Citizen Jazz
  • …the Kujala duo shines in the (Kalevi Aho’s) Sonata, delivering it with breathtaking virtuosity and nuance.
    Patrick Hanudel · American Record Guide
  • And Kujala is a master of his instrument, able to jump effortlessly back and forth in the sound continuum from melodious Mediterranean melodies to deserted tone clusters.
    Reinhold Unger · Jazz Podium
  • Stunningly performed by the composer, Veli Kujala’s Accordion Hyperoriental, the fourth part of Hyperchromatic Counterpoint (2006-09), was one of the highlights of the fabulous evening.
    Jari Kallio · Adventures in Music
  • The composition DAI masterfully portrayed the vibrant soundscape of Kujala’s music, which traverses moments of exuberance, elegance, mystique, intrigue, eeriness, intensity, clarity, and dazzling brightness.
    Hanne Orrenmaa · Ilkka
  • Kujala’s accordion performance was nothing short of brilliance… I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone in the audience had previously encountered such an astonishing soloist on this instrument.
    Östgöta Correspondenten

Coming up

30 Sep Pierre-François Blanchard trio + Kujala – Sellosali, Espoo
28 Oct Premiere of Machina Animata by Olli Moilanen
with Lapland Chamber Orchestra/John Storgårds – Korundi, Rovaniemi
29 Oct Concert with Lapland Chamber Orchestra/Storgårds – Kemijärvi
14 Nov Hosting the Avanti! Club – Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki
Music by Ruders, Wennäkoski, Valkonen, D’Rivera, Kujala
16 Nov Impro concert with Harri Sjöström, Heikki Nikula, Libero Mureddu &
Jukka Kääriäinen – Hakasalmen huvila, Helsinki
2 Dec Solo concert, Valladolid (ES)
1 Apr 2027 World premiere of Kevään merkit (Signs of Spring), commissioned by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra for the 50th anniversary of Pikku Kakkonen, Finland’s iconic children’s TV program. Finnish RSO / Kasmir Uusitupa, featuring Nalle & Leikki-Heikki from the show – Helsinki Musiikkitalo. The concert will also be produced for TV.