JULIEN TASSIN & HEIKKI RUOKANGAS
Out of a mutual love of spontaneousness and raw emotions, Belgian guitarist Julien Tassin and Finnish guitarist Heikki Ruokangas decided to start creating music together. As two guitars aiming to sound like one.
The two guitarists met while they were both signed to the Australian avant-garde label Ramble Records. As they talked on Instagram, they wanted to play music together, so they travelled, Julien to Finland and Heikki to Belgium, bringing different cultures and influences together, but also realizing they have a lot in common. Both studied classical music and traditional jazz before entering the improvisational music world and both share a musical vision.
In their music, the concrete and the abstract can co-exist at each moment. Melodic lines are combined with atonal sounds for an organic and exploratory approach to the acoustic guitar. Just like life itself, the music of this duo is full of both beauty and beast. And, just like the players, it has a playful sense of humor to it.
Their travels led to the composition of a new repertoire, which was released as the album ‘Behind The Mask’ by Challenge Records (NL) in August of 2025. The duo embarked on a release tour of seventeen concerts in five countries, recording the final concert of the tour in Brussels.
During the tour, their music expanded into new territories, embracing a broader spirit of experimentation and incorporating additional instruments (like a mandolin and bells), as well as an array of sonic accessories. The live recording captures a moment of rare intensity, where the musicians delve deeper and push the boundaries more than ever before. Their distinctive approach to the guitar duo reaches new heights here, elevated by the raw energy and immediacy of a live performance. The digital live album ‘Julien Tassin & Heikki Ruokangas – Live In Brussels‘ will be released on May 1st, 2026 by zOaR Records, the label of guitar player and composer Elliott Sharp.
“The album is full of sensibility and emotion, sometimes energetic or serene, often humorous and always imaginative.”
– Le Soir
“Behind the Mask immerses us in a sound so compact and intimate that it seems to have been produced by a mythical guitarist with four arms.”
– JazzMania
“The duo emerges as born storytellers, avoiding every form of performative macho behavior.”
– Jazzenzo
Julien Tassin (BE – guitar)
Heikki Ruokangas (FI – guitar)
INSIDE JAZZ MANAGEMENT
BOOKING
Belgium
Manchesterstraat 49A/f, 9000 Ghent
Jens Tytgat
jens@insidejazz.be
CHALLENGE RECORDS
LABEL
The Netherlands
Sander Vos
sander@newartsint.com
