Accordionist Markku Lepistö, known from many Finnish top folk bands (Värttinä, Doina Klezmer, the duo with Aldargaz mandolinist Petri Hakala, Progmatics etc.), has released his first solo album "Silta" ("The Bridge"). The album consists mainly of his original compositions for two-row accordion and some Finnish traditional tunes. Lepistö´s music can be characterized as contemporary Finnish instrumental folkmusic with flavours from America, Brasil and Ireland. On this album, Markku Lepistö is playing with Finnish top folk players Petri Hakala (mandolins), Jouko Kyhälä (harmonium, claviola), Janne Viksten (banjo, guitar), Tuomas Logren (guitar), Lassi Logren (violin), Pekka Lehti (bass and producer) and Sami Koskela (pandeiro). Honour to home region Markku Lepistö was born in Kuortane, South Ostrobothnia, in December 1963. The region is renowned for its age-old folk music tradition, skilled folk fiddlers and accordionists. Inspired by the strong heritage and his fiddle-playing father Markku started playing the accordion by ear at the age of five, first on the piano accordion and later on the button accordion. In 1984 Markku began his studies at the newly founded Folk Music Department of the Sibelius Academy. This education, which is unique even in Europe, enabled him to proceed into advanced studies in both folk music and classical accordion playing. In addition to his principal instruments, he studied also other folk instruments like the kantele, woodwinds, the double bass and the fiddle. After studies, Markku became involved with many Finnish top folk music groups. As well, he began teaching in Sibelius Academy and playing as a studio and theatre musician. The album "Silta" begins with a Finnish folk song "Kaksipa poikaa Kurikasta" which was recorded in Markku´s family house in 1969. The final track on the album is Markku´s composition "The Bridge" which was recorded in the same room in 2001. As an accordion player, Markku is one of the world's best players. His debut album is honest and unpretentious and his music has a strong feeling of life experience and Finnish tradition. The main inspiration for this music has been Pohjanmaa (Ostrobothnia), where he was born. Markku reflects: "Childhood days in Pohjanmaa were full of playing in our farmyard, fishing trips to lake Kuortane, landscapes of foggy mornings and sunsets, jamming with my father and the musicians of our village. For all this, I would like to dedicate this music."