NEW ALBUM “Thou Shalt Worship the Rich and Famous”

10+1 Commandments of our Time

Upcoming concerts

THU 26 September De Sijhoff Leiden | SAT 28 September Bimhuis Amsterdam | WED 1 October Nomads Festival Helsinki

Aki Rissanen – Piano | Steven Kamperman – Bb clarinet, Alto clarinet

From northern sounds and early music to contemporary grooves, and from playful game music to gritty blues, the duo Aki Rissanen and Steven Kamperman present a diverse range of sounds. They move effortlessly from delicate passages to passionately expressive moments.

Finnish top pianist Aki Rissanen has joined forces with the Dutch creative clarinetist/composer Steven Kamperman. With a playful touch, they named their first album *Thou Shalt Worship the Rich and Famous*. Modern-day commandments with lighthearted announcements run as the central theme of their “high-level duo performance” (Jazzenzo). Yet, the humorous elements never overshadow the music, which takes listeners on a thrilling and genuinely emotional journey.

Upcoming concerts 12.4 Seinäjoki, Kalevan Navetta | 13.4 Rajamäki | 14.4 Helsinki Jazz ry, Hakasalmen huvila | 13.7 North Sea Jazz Festival Den Haag | 26.9 Sijthoff Leiden | 28.9 Bimhuis Amsterdam

First Reviews

‘An astonishing album, joyfully redefining the 10 Commandments of our time.’ – Moorsmagazine

‘High-level duo set’ – Jazzenzo

‘Live unfolded a distinctive, layered mix of tenderness and irresistibly raw grooving blues. Captivating music.’ – Jazzflits

Foto by Eric van Nieuwland, Transition Festival march 2025

Sound samples

#1 THOU SHALT worship the rich and famous

The Number One Is Always Right

#2 THOU SHALT Worship Thy Looks

Mille Regretz

#3 THOU SHALT $&#@ing respect me!

Chorale

Wait for the release of the album in March 2025 to listen to the rest of the commandments!

Press Release Eclipse Music

Last but not least, the sincere opinion of ChatGPT:

‘While these contemporary values might not provide the ethical guidance of the original commandments, they perfectly capture the spirit of our time. “Thou shalt make easy money” epitomizes the nobility of shortcuts and quick wins, clearly superior to outdated notions of hard work. “Thou shalt worship thy looks” champions our profound belief in surface over substance, because who needs inner beauty when filters exist? And “Thou shalt believe alternative facts” celebrates our sophisticated ability to curate reality, leaving the tedious pursuit of objective truth behind. Clearly, these modern commandments better suit our progressive society, where depth is overrated, and convenience is king.‘