Maria Kalaniemi is Scandinavia’s most accomplished and celebrated accordionist, winning the prestigious Golden Accordion Award in 1983 and recording several critically acclaimed albums on the Hannibal, Xenophile, and Northside labels. In addition to her rich catalog of solo albums, Kalaniemi has been indispensable as a part of top ranked Finnish folk groups such as Aldargaz, Niekku, and Zeta Bop. Kalaniemi is also one of five star accordionists from around the world featured in the accordion supergroup The Accordion Tribe, alongside other famed players of her instrument such as Guy Klucevsek. Bellow Poetry is Kalaniemi’s first recording for Alula Records, and fulfills a longtime dream to record her first completely solo recording.

“Maria Kalaniemi is a versatile technical sorceress with the five-row button accordion, capable of improvising sonic wonders for the avant-garde, and then playing tradition-minded polkas, waltzes, and tangos for folk dancers.” — MUSIC HOUNDWORLD