Synkka Metsa (Dark Forest)

Inspired by Art Farmer's 1964 recording of Swedish folk songs, "To Sweden With Love," Chicago saxophonist Juli Wood delved into her own Finnish heritage for material to explore on her newest recording. With hauntingly beautiful melodies and harmonies that invite new interpretations, Wood and her quartet - with Alejandro Urzagaste on guitar, Clark Sommers on bass and drummer Mike Schlick, create an inspired recording of six traditional Karelian, Finnish and Aland Island songs along with two compositions by famed Finnish musician Matti Jurva. "Wood, after all, owns a big and burly tone on tenor, her husky sound, deep rhythmic accents and prolific phrase making consistently commanding attention." - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune